Emphasizing Words in Sentences and Titles: When and How to Capitalize

When it comes to emphasizing specific words within a sentence or capitalizing words in titles, the rules can sometimes seem a bit confusing. Understanding when and how to use capitalization effectively can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing. In this article, we explore the nuances of capitalizing certain words, focusing on 'not,' and providing guidance on when this is appropriate.

Using 'Not' as a Capital Word

The word 'not' is not typically capitalized within a sentence unless it begins the sentence. However, in the context of titles, such as book titles, 'not' is often capitalized, as we see in the book 'Not as a Stranger' by Somerset Maugham.

On platforms like Quora, I use capital letters to emphasize certain words in a sentence for stress or to illustrate a specific meaning. For instance:

"I’m not going to work today." - This could mean it's my day off or that I’m sick, or some other reason. "I’m NOT going to work today" - This is a direct refusal and rebellion, emphasizing the speaker's firmness.

Quora, unfortunately, does not offer an option for underlining text, which is often the go-to choice for emphasizing words in writing. However, using capital letters can serve the same purpose effectively.

The Role of Capitalization in Reversing Statements

Capitalize reversing a statement, often referred to as a not-statement, can be a modern affectation. This technique is used to express a direct contradiction or denial of an earlier statement in a concise way. However, it is not widely accepted as a standard grammatical or literary device.

Example: "Putin is an honourable man. NOT." "I shall definitely vote Conservative at the next election. NOT."

It is important to note that using 'not' for emphasis can be confusing and awkward. It should only be used if the sentence is straightforward and simple. The technique can work well in informal contexts but may be difficult to understand in more complex sentences. For instance, a sentence like:

"If the first sentence is simple and straightforward then it is easy to reverse it as in the first two examples. The third sentence is involved so attempting to reverse it with a single word is very unclear."

is more challenging to interpret correctly when using this technique.

Conventions of Capitalization in Sentences and Titles

While the conventions of capitalization in titles and sentences are well-established, it's important to distinguish them:

Capitalization in Sentences: The first word of a sentence should always be capitalized, and any proper nouns within the sentence should also be capitalized. Capitalization in Titles: In book, article, and film titles, each major word is capitalized, while prepositions, articles, and conjunctions typically remain in lowercase unless they are the first or last word of the title.

Understanding these conventions can help enhance the readability and clarity of your writing. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your emphasis and capitalization choices are clear and effective, whether you're writing a novel, a blog post, or a piece of academic research.