From time to time, I come across people using capitalization to emphasize words. This is wrong. Let me show you why.
Consider this sentence:
This is the Most Advanced Formula we have ever created.
Notice that “Most Advanced Formula” is capitalized.
Capitalization is reserved for proper nouns (like Canada, Jane, and Saskatchewan), the first word in a sentence, and the main words in a title (see Canadian Style for specific usage guidelines). In the example I gave above, “Most Advanced Formula” falls under none of those categories: all three words are common nouns, they are in the middle of a sentence, and they are not in a title.
When needing emphasis, writers should use bold and italics as the main tools. These are less likely to interrupt reading flow, and emphasis is what they were designed for.
You can rewrite the sentence I mentioned previously as shown below:
- This is the most advanced formula we have ever created.
- This is the most advanced formula we have ever created.
Have you seen people using capitalization for emphasis?
Video
I have seen it, and it makes me think of Winnie-the-Pooh. You know, we are going on an Expodition. Or perhaps I had a Very Bad Thing happen today before breakfast. However, doesn’t Martha Stewart use it for her Good Things?
Definitely, it creates emphasis in my mind, but it has a silly, over-exaggerated feel.
Ha ha! Good point. It provides emphasis, just the wrong kind of emphasis. :)