Here's why:
* Distinguishes from common nouns: Capitalizing proper nouns helps differentiate them from common nouns, which refer to general things. For example, "dog" is a common noun, while "Fido" is a proper noun.
* Clarity and respect: Proper nouns represent specific entities, often people, places, or organizations. Capitalization shows respect and makes it clear which entity is being referred to.
Examples:
* People: John Smith, Queen Elizabeth II,
* Places: London, Mount Everest, the Pacific Ocean
* Organizations: Google, the United Nations, NASA
* Books: Pride and Prejudice, The Lord of the Rings
Note:
* There are some exceptions, like when proper nouns are used as adjectives, where capitalization may not apply. For example, "french fries" is not capitalized because "French" is acting as an adjective describing the fries.
* The style guide you are using might have specific rules for capitalization.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or have any other questions about proper nouns!