Capitalization in Titles

[Scorpiоn]

What exactly are the rules for minor words?  I'm not sure if that's the correct term, but you English teachers [cough]MARK![/cough] will know what I mean.

I was naming some music files and their respective info tags, and I had a bit of a problem.  In titles, all words a capitalized except for minor words.  I never had to memorize a list of words which aren't to be capitalized, however: "Was"?  "Is" is not capitalized, it's a minor word.  Yet "was" is the the past tense of "is" so it stands to reason that it should be a minor word as well.  The song information I was referencing off of indicated "was" was capitalized, and my "capitalization instinct" ( ) told me it should be capitalized as well.  In the end I capitalized it.  What is correct?

Since I have spent so much time being correct in English, I will offer some counter-balance.

ZOMFG teh words are gooing teh krayzee!  LOLZ!!!!1! D:

[Saitek]

CAPS ARE SHOUTING!
People who are noisy are thrown out of here. You'll be given an ASBO from Pete.
Caps can be used where English uses them. I.e aiports ICAO's or for other words that are repsented as symbols.

It is quite unecessary to write wonderful essays at Mark's standard, but poor spelling (providing you are not used to speaking/writing English) isn't acceptable. Most people can write and those that can't better get learning. There isn't an excuse really, unless English isn't your first language.

[Hagar]

Well, I'm no English teacher but I don't know if there is a specific rule on this. My rule of thumb is 'if it looks right, it IS right'.

[candle_86]

CAPS ARE SHOUTING!
People who are noisy are thrown out of here. You'll be given an ASBO from Pete.
Caps can be used where English uses them. I.e aiports ICAO's or for other words that are repsented as symbols.

It is quite unecessary to write wonderful essays at Mark's standard, but poor spelling (providing you are not used to speaking/writing English) isn't acceptable. Most people can write and those that can't better get learning. There isn't an excuse really, unless English isn't your first language.

well some do have problems with larger words, i for one do.

[beefhole]

Yeah, there's a specific list of words that you don't capitalize-

The Grapes of Wrath
Harry and His Dog
etc.

Since English is really natural to me, I also just eyeball it like Doug, but I'm sure Mark can give a more definitive rule.

btw, I believe in song titles, generally EVERY word is capitalized, regardless of the actual english grammar mechanics-whenever I burn a CD into itunes, etc, the song names disregard capital rules.

[Fozzer]

My rule of thumb is always to capitalise the letter "i" when referring to oneself.

It is rarely observed on the Forum......!

i, i am, i'm, i will, i'll...etc.

Should be shown as...

I, I am, I'm, I will, I'll..etc.

A capital letter to start a sentence.
A capital letter following a full stop (period).
Capitalise the letter starting a name, eg;....John Smith, etc.

My old Mate Scorp gets 10/10 for his use of the English language...
....(even tho' he is a Texan!)......!

...sorry Scorp...... ...!
LOL...!

Paul... ...!

There are many more examples but I can't find my little Spelling/Pronounciation booklet at present........!

[MWISimmer]

There are many more examples but I can't find my little Spelling/Pronounciation booklet at present........!

That would be pronunciation Fozzer...  ::)  ;D  ;)
Rob.

[Craig.]

to be fair Mr Fozzer I now do capitalise my I's. Couldn't stand anymore hassle

[Hagar]

[quote]That would be pronunciation Fozzer...

[Scorpiоn]

Erm, thank you, I gess, Fozzer.

LOL Hoist with his own petard. Note that wasn't me this time.

I think most people missed the point of this topic. What Scorp is referring to is capital letters as used in song & film titles. For example, which is correct?
With a Little Help from my Friends

or

With A Little Help From My Friends

Fozzer's almost hit the nail right on the head.  I was never very good in English class, but teachers said I wrote quite well.  I'm never too sure about rules, yet I usually know when things just "look" right. (Though I'm still trying to master whom and who!)

What I'm mostly on about is the capitalization of "is" and "was".  I had a brain fart that day; the same reason you can't spell kitty after spelling it fifty different times. I'm more sure of it today, - is uncapitalized and Was capitalized - however I'm still unsure of this because was is just the past tense form of is (I think).  That's where all the doubt stems from.

[Katahu]

I don't normally see capital letters as shouting. However, reading capital letters can be quite a strain on the eyes. Especially if CAPS are used all throughout a sentence or paragraph.

Basically, to me, CAPS is not shouting. It's hard on the eyes [like staring into a tv set for hours in the middle of the night].

[Fozzer]

LOL Hoist with his own petard. Note that wasn't me this time.

...watch it , Mate......!

http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-pet1.htm

I am well equipped with my trusty gunpowder-filled grenade to defend myself against all and sundry...
...also beware of wind, breaking from unexpected sources...
...!

Paul...with a capital "P"... ...!

[KDSM]

My old Mate Scorp gets 10/10 for his use of the English language...
....(even tho' he is a Texan!)......!

LOL

United States of America

[KDSM]

I don't normally see capital letters as shouting. However, reading capital letters can be quite a strain on the eyes. Especially if CAPS are used all throughout a sentence or paragraph.

Basically, to me, CAPS is not shouting. It's hard on the eyes [like staring into a tv set for hours in the middle of the night].

Yes same here fastest way for a post to get ignored by me is to use all caps

[like staring into a tv set for hours in the middle of the night].

Just as long as you dont start saying "they're here!"

[Theis]

Yes same here fastest way for a post to get ignored by me is to use all caps

LIKE THIS??