Do not capitalize a compass direction unless the word designates a specific geographic region.

Voters in the South and much of the West tend to favor socially conservative candidates.

Do not capitalize a word indicating a family relationship unless the word is used as part of the name or as a substitute for the name.

I could always tell when Mother was annoyed with Aunt Rose.

Do not capitalize seasons of the year and parts of the academic or financial year.

Capitalizing whole words or phrases for emphasis may come across to readers as SHOUTING. Use italics, underlining, or asterisks to add emphasis.

Sorry for the abrupt response, but I am *very* busy.