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SFReader Forums > SFReader > Ask The Expert > Using CAPS for Emphasis

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Using CAPS for Emphasis

Sign of Amateur Writing - 25.0%

Depends on Context - 75.0%

More and More Acceptable - 0.0%

I DON'T CARE!!! - 0.0%

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Lyn
Today's Word: Sub(sendmoney)liminal

Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 1739

Posted 1/11/2008 11:21 AM (GMT -5)

What do you think? Is it okay to use caps within a short story, especially dialog, for emphasis? Example: "GET OUT!" she shouted. Or even something longer.

Lyn from ResAliens

Dragon Angel
Lord Dragon

Date Joined Sep 2004
Total Posts : 1066

Posted 1/11/2008 11:34 AM (GMT -5)

I put 'depends on context' because I think it is fine in books for kids and teenagers, but it isn't necessarily a good thing in adult books. Adults tend to pick up on subtelty better, IMHO.

read free fiction and poetry at http://www.geocities.com/davidolson22/index.html

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Hermit
Diavhrati Luminary

Date Joined May 2007
Total Posts : 1785

Posted 1/11/2008 12:26 PM (GMT -5)

Always best to find out the editor's preference. It is a very easy trap to set yourself in (like ending a sentence in a preposition).

The key is to emphasize without exagerating. Poot! I can't spell today. Oh well.

All choices in writing are based on context. Helps to keep in mind that audience is within the greater context; this helps determine what's appropriate.

Read me soon in The Return of the Sword!

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Firlefanz
Sage

Date Joined Mar 2007
Total Posts : 1246

Posted 1/12/2008 6:50 AM (GMT -5)

In my eyes, it's something carrying over from chat room spelling. I find it rather horrible and avoid it.

The only time I saw it used very well is for the voice of Death in Terry Pratchett's Diskworld novels. However, there the caps serve a unique purpose, and are not used for emphasis.

It's much better to use what we already have in the language for emphasis: Words, exclamation marks and description of action. That's writing skill, while caps are ... primitive. Sheesh. Didn't realize I was that conservative in my writing.

- Call me Firle.

Hannah Steenbock

Mystical Adventures
Sphaira

M. A. Shah
Stablehand

Date Joined Dec 2007
Total Posts : 49

Posted 1/12/2008 1:13 PM (GMT -5)

It's certainly used excessively by J. K. Rowling in the Potter Books. I am fine with it i guess.

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Mike Lynch
Acolyte

Date Joined Mar 2007
Total Posts : 347

Posted 1/12/2008 2:00 PM (GMT -5)

I feel that the arsenal of tools we have in writing are there for a purpose. If using CAPS enhances the story in some way, then do it.

Mike

www.mikelynchbooks.com

www.mlynchbooks.blogspot.com

www.silverleafbooks.com

RHFay
Sage

Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 2014

Posted 1/12/2008 2:12 PM (GMT -5)

Personally, I would prefer to use word choice and punctuation to achieve emphasis. However, if it works for you, if you need that extra bit of emphasis, then I say go for it!

However, I would suggest not overdoing it. Then the emphasis might lose some of its punch.

"I'm going to do what the warriors of old did. I'm going to recite poetry!" Andrew of Armar.

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Daniel Ausema
Acolyte

Date Joined May 2007
Total Posts : 302

Posted 1/12/2008 6:08 PM (GMT -5)

I'm with Firle--primitive indeed. While I wouldn't ever say that you should never use something at your disposal, this is one that 99% of the time or more marks a writer as undeveloped. There's almost always a better way of getting emphasis across. I might accept an argument that in YA and J fiction it's more acceptable, though even there I'd say it's a last resort.

Twigs and Brambles (my writing blog)

crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 5196

Posted 1/12/2008 6:25 PM (GMT -5)

Lyn said...
What do you think? Is it okay to use caps within a short story, especially dialog, for emphasis? Example: "GET OUT!" she shouted. Or even something longer.

I do it. Visual impact is just as important to me as content impact.

crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 5196

Posted 1/12/2008 6:27 PM (GMT -5)

Keep in mind this fact as well:

ALL CAPS IS SHOUTING to anyone that spends a lot of time online. So while the people still living in the dark ages will turn their nose up and sniff, the current crop of readers expects to see all caps if someone's shouting.

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R. L. Copple
Acolyte

Date Joined Mar 2007
Total Posts : 242

Posted 1/13/2008 12:25 AM (GMT -5)

Yes, on-line, all caps is shouting. Really, more than shouting to me. It's going into a rabid, frothing at the mouth rage and is usually considered a bit rude on-line.

But in writing, I would rarely use it for dialog. As many have said, there are enough ways to get the point across with your word choices first and foremost. Many editors, at least in more adult venues, would consider things like all caps and italics for emphasis as indications that it wasn't adequately conveyed in the writing itself. That said, I'm sure there are times it could be used with good effect. But as someone said, sparingly and for good reason. Personally, I wouldn't tend to use it. Body language is a much more vivid way to indicate mood and character, generally speaking.

R. L. Copple

blog.rlcopple.com
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crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 5196

Posted 1/13/2008 12:29 AM (GMT -5)

R. L. Copple said...
Body language is a much more vivid way to indicate mood and character, generally speaking.

That assumes the author is good at describing body language. Some are. Some...

Lyn
Today's Word: Sub(sendmoney)liminal

Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 1739

Posted 1/13/2008 10:41 AM (GMT -5)

Good discussion so far...
The reason I asked is because I just posted a story by R. E. Diaz titled, "A Measure of the Depth."

In it, Zeta, a genetically altered teen, goes on a revenge killing rampage and screams her rage - and Diaz used caps to indicate such. I changed it all to lower case, but the author politely questioned why. So upon reflection (and this poll) I left it as is. If you get a chance, read this sci-fi murder mystery and let me know what you would have done as editor. Thanks!

Lyn from ResAliens

Firlefanz
Sage

Date Joined Mar 2007
Total Posts : 1246

Posted 1/13/2008 12:26 PM (GMT -5)

crystalwizard said...

R. L. Copple said...
Body language is a much more vivid way to indicate mood and character, generally speaking.

That assumes the author is good at describing body language. Some are. Some...

Actually, this underlines my point. Using all caps is often enough a sign that an author could work some more on his or her descriptive skills.

- Call me Firle.

Hannah Steenbock

Mystical Adventures
Sphaira

Hazimel
Jack of Shadows

Date Joined Oct 2006
Total Posts : 226

Posted 1/28/2008 7:38 PM (GMT -5)

Stephen King does it. That is all the permission I need. Having said that, I would change it faster than Roland reloads his pistols if the editor asked me to do so.

In your example, you use caps, an exclamation point, and a tag (she shouted). Any one of those things would be sufficient. All three is redundant. =)

"To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice." --Confucius

Jordan Lapp
Ebony & Ivory

Date Joined Sep 2006
Total Posts : 2953

Posted 1/28/2008 9:15 PM (GMT -5)

Well, as an editor, I wouldnt have just changed it. Without the caps you might need more descriptive language to get your point across.

I think it's okay under very rare circumstances. Consider it a "rule" not to do it, and when you get as good as Stephen King, you'll know when to break it.

Jordan Lapp

Managing Editor

Every Day Fiction

R. L. Copple
Acolyte

Date Joined Mar 2007
Total Posts : 242

Posted 1/29/2008 3:12 PM (GMT -5)

However, there could be times it comes in handy. Like writing dialog for Captain Kirk:

I will NOT, LET, YOU, TAKE, MY SHIP!

lol!

R. L. Copple

blog.rlcopple.com
www.raygunradio.com
www.haruah.com

Infinite Realities available at Amazon.com

Anthony G Williams
Greybeard

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 430

Posted 2/1/2008 9:44 AM (GMT -5)

I very rarely use them, but have occasionally done so to reflect an extreme reaction of shock and outrage.

Tony Williams
Scales (2007), The Foresight War (2004)
Homepage: http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk

Blog: http://sciencefictionfantasy.blogspot.com/ >>

Charles Gramlich
Acolyte

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 270

Posted 2/9/2008 11:13 PM (GMT -5)

I generally don't like to see all caps used for emphasis. I think it might work occassionally with humorous writing. I remember a book that Stephen King wrote with a lot of caps in it. Although the book was pretty good the caps really really distracted me early on until they got where they were invisible to me.

Charles Gramlich

http://charlesgramlich.blogspot.com/

Anthony G Williams
Greybeard

Date Joined Apr 2007
Total Posts : 430

Posted 2/9/2008 11:19 PM (GMT -5)

An addition to my previous comment: I think that they are only acceptable if used very rarely for individual words or very brief phrases.

Tony Williams
Scales (2007), The Foresight War (2004)
Homepage: http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk

Blog: http://sciencefictionfantasy.blogspot.com/ >>

erazmus
Master

Date Joined Jul 2005
Total Posts : 4557

Posted 2/13/2008 3:16 PM (GMT -5)

I've used this, and it works better than anything else for what I use it for. Usually a voice out of no where that startles the POV character. Or is overwhelmingly loud, as a voice speaking across an ocean. Lots of fantasy writers do this as an effect. Its an effect, like in my family bible, when God talks to Moses, he speaks in all caps.
Of course some may feel the writers of the bible need to go back and work on their descriptive skills. In my mind, the ability to convey an image without a lot of descriptive folderoll is a superior skill.

Mike

Michael D. Turner
"Psyched Up" in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
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Dragon Angel
Lord Dragon

Date Joined Sep 2004
Total Posts : 1066

Posted 2/14/2008 12:01 AM (GMT -5)

Ah, well, I think there is a big difference from having just some character saying something in caps and God saying something in caps. I would have no disagreement with that.

read free fiction and poetry at http://www.geocities.com/davidolson22/index.html

Part dark, part light. And gooey in the middle.

Steven the Git
Acolyte

Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 225

Posted 2/14/2008 1:33 PM (GMT -5)

I'm certain I've never used caps for shouting. I simply use a description - he shouted, she bawled, he roared, etc. I don't think an exclamation mark isn't a must either. Usual, but not always.

I do think language can be used in all sorts of ways, so while not being for it, I don't find myself against it. As for chatroom speak, prefer it in the chatroom. I do all sorts when in chat, but try to show some decorum when writing. Think I manage it.

“Hello, I am William Burton, Head of Recruitment and Integration for the Agency for Peaceful Regulation and Definitive Cooperation of Extraordinary Existence.”

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H.P. Lovesauce
Necronomicondiment

Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 585

Posted 2/15/2008 12:58 PM (GMT -5)

Anthony G Williams said...

An addition to my previous comment: I think that they are only acceptable if used very rarely for individual words or very brief phrases.

"GUN!"

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