Proper noun
A noun that names a specific person, place, or organisation and is capitalised. Proper nouns have unique referents and follow specific capitalisation conventions.
Real World
Newspapers deliberately use proper nouns like 'Downing Street' instead of 'the government' or 'Buckingham Palace' instead of 'the monarchy' to add authority and specificity through place-name associations.
Exam Focus
Discuss whether proper nouns create familiarity, authority, or specificity — examiners reward analysis of their pragmatic effect.
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