What are the rules for capitalizing titles of books, movies, and songs?

The rules for capitalizing titles of books, movies, and songs can vary slightly depending on the style guide being followed. However, there are some general guidelines that can be followed:

1. Capitalize the first and last word of the title: Regardless of the part of speech, the first and last word of the title should always be capitalized. For example, "The Great Gatsby" or "Gone with the Wind."

2. Capitalize all nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs: These parts of speech are typically capitalized in titles. For instance, "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "The Sound of Music."

3. Capitalize conjunctions, articles, and prepositions only if they are four or more letters long: Short words like "and," "the," or "in" are usually not capitalized unless they are the first or last word of the title. For example, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" or "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."

4. Capitalize important words: Significant words such as proper nouns, important verbs, or adjectives should be capitalized. This includes names of people, places, or specific things. For instance, "The Catcher in the Rye" or "The Lord of the Rings."

5. Capitalize all words in hyphenated compounds: If a title includes a hyphenated compound, each word should be capitalized. For example, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" or "The Empire Strikes Back."

6. Do not capitalize articles, conjunctions, or prepositions within a hyphenated compound: Short words within a hyphenated compound should not be capitalized unless they are the first or last word of the title. For instance, "The Bridge on the River Kwai" or "The Fault in Our Stars."

It is important to note that these rules may vary depending on the specific style guide being used, such as the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook or the Chicago Manual of Style. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult the appropriate style guide for specific capitalization rules when in doubt.