A few rules about place settings seem to be generally known: Bread on the left, drinks on the right. Start on the outside and work in. Place your fork and knife parallel when you're done with your entree. Conventions far more specific than these exist, and are myriad in number. They are, in fact, so specific to region, time of day and courses being served that nothing short of a lifetime of study can aptly prepare one for any situation.
But this diagram will prepare you for at least sixty percent of polite dining situations you're likely to encounter in the United States. While the specifics are up to careful observation and tactful inquiry, and mechanics acheived through practice (see our videos), you'll at least be able to sit down to a formal dinner and not want to cry. Move the cursor over the items to read their descriptions at the bottom of the page.