August 15, 2005
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You know how people used to italicize words that needed emphasis? And that’s probably still the accepted way of doing things. But I’ve noticed some of you capping instead. And I like that. It’s especially effective if you want to lean on one syllable. And I think for blogs it’s completely appropriate so I’m doing it, too. But what about actual work you’d submit? I tried it in tonight’s chapter and it looks a little juvenile to me. What do you think?
Comments (12)
from a strictly technical aspect, i’d use italices, but i understand that you need to underline them for the publisher. there are rules about that sort of thing, and unless i’m doing something totally unique, i’d probably follow them. still trying to catch up w/all your chapters!
don’t go back, add it forward. by adding the emotion as you go, you’ll find you’re telling a different story. i needed a chunk of time and i had to read it in sequence. keep writing forward tho’. dying to see that movie btw!
i think some questions are good. and you don’t need to answer all of mine- they may not fit your structure. as long as you know the answer and the reader can figure out the majority of them, i think you’re fine. don’t go back and rewrite tomorrow. work forward. and no apology needed for writing on my blog! i love cross convos!
trust yourself as the storyteller. i will give you feedback- some of it will work and some of it won’t. you will have to figure out which is which. but at least i can give you feedback. i read a young genius who’s so amazing, i dare not disturb him for fear it will fall apart. so he emails me his stuff and i say how it makes me feel. he’ll need an editor someday, but it can’t be me. 
The way you wrote it is just right. I think italicized words are more professional & caps, etc. are good for “blogging”.
I italicize sometimes, but I’m so used to Ctrl+I, and if I have it on the “wrong” edit setting here, I get lazy and either put it in “quotations” or do funky caps. Italics for professional stuff, mos’ def’nit’ly.
…your wish is my command…i like italics…that was a subtle chapter…and thanks for your balanced criticism…
I can take either. Capping is kinda fun for more casual communication I think but if ya wanna do it, DO it.
You say you like my writing..I don’t write I ramble!! Haven’t ever been able to construct a sentence that didn’t include AND!! But thanks anyway..I am enjoying your posts.
For me, it depends on the medium. I got into CAPPING for emphasis when I first started writing online, using fairly basis text editors– it was faster to type EMPHASIS than look up some screen command to italicize, and it was clearer than the other “convention,” written as *emphasis.* For actual manuscripts/articles, I tend to italicize for emphasis. But even that becomes an identity crisis sometimes– some clients insist on boldface for emphasis, at least when it comes to technical documents. But then “technical emphasis” is different from “fictional emphasis.” Confusing enough for you?
No caps in submissions. Italics are much better.
F
eh, i leave the emphasis to the reader usually. esp. if it’s poetry. i’d use italics in prose, though, not caps. caps can be annoying.
again… this is just me (and I’m no pro) but I use those old rules as mere guides and not absolutes…
writing is very individual and unique– so sometimes the way a writer writes will be too.