Monday, 21 May 2012

Over-using upper case is a CAPITAL OFFENCE

By Michael Wadley


IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT THAT WE ONLY HAD CAPITAL LETTERS. IF WE DID, THEN AFTER A WHILE READING THINGS WOULD BECOME SUCH A CHORE WOULDN’T IT?

WELL WE CAN THANK OUR LUCKY STARS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF lower case lettering.

You see lower case is a lot easier to read than upper case. And that’s the reason it was introduced.

This is important for a writer to know because writers need readers.

And they need to make it easy for their readers.

Because it’s a very competitive market out there when you think just how much there is to read in today’s connected world. Why on earth should someone read your stuff?

Table FOR FOUR SIR?

Even if what you have to say is interesting and relevant to your readers, surely the last thing you want to do is give them a hoop to jump through?

It’d be like a Head Waiter – all Smiles and respectful gesturing - Showing someone to a Table in a Restaurant but then Bashing them on the Knees with a Broomstick as they Walked Along with Him.

Try not to use too many capital letters. There really is no need. People’s job titles – should begin in lower case. So, it’s chief executive, managing director, account manager, etc. Plus words like government, internet, board, awards, spring, summer, chairman… all begin in lower case please.

That’s how newspapers write these words. And it’s something YOU SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO AS WELL…NO, I’M NOT SHOUTING AT YOU, I’M JUST EXAGGERATING IN ORDER TO HAMMER THE POINT HOME IN AN ANNOYING FASHION. SORRY.