Emphasis (typography)

In typography, emphasis is to strengthen words in a text. Often, this is done by using the font in a different style from the rest of the text. This highlights them.^[1] It is rather like changing tone of voice or speaking louder.

Methods include changes in the way the font is used: bold, italics, small caps, using colour, changing the size of the print, and changing the typeface itself (the font).

In practice, most experienced writers look to change the text itself (the actual words) before they consider anything else.

Emphasis (typography) Media

Example of black letter emphasis using the technique of changing fonts
The demonstration of italics and boldface
Different methods of emphasis.
An example of sperrsatz. Note wider spacing of the word gesperrt ("letterspaced").
Example of emphasis marks in Traditional Chinese, written vertically
Shakespeare's play Othello, printed in 1623. Bold type had not yet been invented. Emphasis is provided by using italics, used for key words, stage directions and the names of characters, and capitalization of key words.

References

↑ Twyman, Michael. "The Bold Idea: the use of bold-looking types in the nineteenth century". Journal of the Printing Historical Society. 22 (107–143).

[Twyman-1] Twyman, Michael. "The Bold Idea: the use of bold-looking types in the nineteenth century". Journal of the Printing Historical Society. 22 (107–143).

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