Directed by: Punctuation (part iv)

The end of punctuation: full stop.

This will complete our examination of how to use punctuation to create vivid imagery in your narrative description and how to imply camera angles and pacing edits without revealing that’s what you are doing.

If there’s anything I’ve missed, send me a note. I’ll be happy to answer your questions. In the meantime, here we go!

Caps, underlines and italics

Capital letters, underlines and italics are different ways to call attention to a specific idea in your dialogue or narration. They are similar to exclamation points, with one added benefit: specificity.

In dialogue, caps, underlines and italics can be used to identify a single word in a line that should be said with greater emphasis. Caps usually imply a certain increase in volume along with emotional emphasis. Underlines and italics usually imply an increase in emotion without greater volume.

In narrative description, caps can be used in the same fashion. They can emphasize a single word: something unique that needs to be seen or heard. It’s a way of saying, “Hey, THIS is really important!”

Caps can be used to indicate a shift in perspective, as in someone’s POV or “ON TV” or “THROUGH BINOCULARS.”