The New Intimacy

Do you consider anything written online in all capitals to be "shouting"?

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Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
I was asked by EF not write things in all capitals,because in online etiquette it was "yelling". Since "yelling" was not my intent, but just to "emphasize" a point.....like saying "WOW", or "BIG"....when you read something online in all capitals, do you consider it yelling? Just wondering how most readers feel about that?

Of course, I am doing as EF asked and will not use all caps in any posting anymore (I want to be a good EF citizen), but I just have to know if that is what most online users think?

Thank you.
10/11/2012
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Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
I was asked by EF not write things in all capitals,because in online etiquette it was "yelling". Since "yelling" was not my intent, but just to "emphasize" a point.....like saying "WOW", or ... more
Writing online in all caps is considered to be shouting and implies emphasis. For the most part, people consider it rude and unnecessary. Additionally for me at least, it is more difficult to look at, especially an entire passage written in all caps.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Love Obsessed Love Obsessed
I don't consider it shouting a majority of the time.I think of it as emphasis unless the content implies yelling.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Trysexual Trysexual
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
Writing online in all caps is considered to be shouting and implies emphasis. For the most part, people consider it rude and unnecessary. Additionally for me at least, it is more difficult to look at, especially an entire passage written in all ... more
Exactly. It's extremely annoying. If someone writes a long article in all caps, I don't even bother to read it. It's a big no no in business communications.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
If you want to emphasize a point, use italics or bold (directions are in the "Links and formatting" button over the posting box). Much easier on the eyes.

I think, mainly, it was the frequency in the use of capitalized words. One per post can be overlooked, but when there's two or three per sentence, it can come off as abrasive to some.
10/11/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
For the most part, yes. If I want to add emphasis in a loud tone I'll use it. Otherwise I'll use italics or bold.

Seconding everyone who has mentioned all caps is also harder to look at. If I see too many of them, I just go the other way.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
If you want to emphasize a point, use italics or bold (directions are in the "Links and formatting" button over the posting box). Much easier on the eyes.

I think, mainly, it was the frequency in the use of capitalized words. One ... more
Just an FYI, I don't think formatting works in thread titles, although I've never tried it myself.
10/11/2012
Contributor: KyotoAngel KyotoAngel
I use caps once in a while if I want to bring extra emphasis to something and feel italics and bold aren't really enough.
But I do try and avoid them, it seems most people consider caps the internet version of yelling or shouting.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
Just an FYI, I don't think formatting works in thread titles, although I've never tried it myself.
Nope, it doesn't work in the titles.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
Nope, it doesn't work in the titles.
I never thought of applying it to the titles. Just the posts themselves (since the text box has the word "Post" at the left corner above it) (just word usage details at this point).
10/11/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
I never thought of applying it to the titles. Just the posts themselves (since the text box has the word "Post" at the left corner above it) (just word usage details at this point).
I think I tried once a long time ago when writing a review.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
Quote:
Originally posted by Chilipepper
I never thought of applying it to the titles. Just the posts themselves (since the text box has the word "Post" at the left corner above it) (just word usage details at this point).
I was thinking titles since I generally avoid threads that use all caps in the title. Formatting also does not work in review titles, and I think the pros/cons section. Maybe the summary section also? I just know I've seen people attempt it and you can see the code written out.
10/11/2012
Contributor: TheirPet TheirPet
I consider it poor form and 'yelling.' But that's just the way I learned it.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Vanille Vanille
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
I was asked by EF not write things in all capitals,because in online etiquette it was "yelling". Since "yelling" was not my intent, but just to "emphasize" a point.....like saying "WOW", or ... more
Yes I do.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Rod Ronald Rod Ronald
I catch myself doing it all the time.
10/11/2012
Contributor: travelnurse travelnurse
Yes, It does seem to be yelling or something you really want emphasis on.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
(EF Review Program Mentor)
Caps in normal sentences can be emphasis if it's one or two words, in the absence of knowing the proper coding for italics or bold lettering. It is considered rude, abrasive, and unnecessary if it is more than a few words though. I don't know of any forum, board or even MMORPG where writing all caps is considered anything but aggressive.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Apirka Apirka
Most of the time I do see all caps as yelling or trying to really emphasize whatever is being said. But if there's a way to use bold or italics, I definitely prefer those over caps.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Lildrummrgurl7 Lildrummrgurl7
It is generally seen as annoying or abrasive. It's also more difficult to read.
10/11/2012
Contributor: PeaceToTheMiddleEast PeaceToTheMiddleEast
Yes I do actually consider it yelling or shouting. If I want to make a point I will type in all Caps as well.
10/11/2012
Contributor: Gracie Gracie
YES!
10/11/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
I was asked by EF not write things in all capitals,because in online etiquette it was "yelling". Since "yelling" was not my intent, but just to "emphasize" a point.....like saying "WOW", or ... more
I'm a little curious now. Did they ask you to stop doing something like this:

PLEASE STOP eating all the cupcakes.

Or something like this:

PLEASE STOP EATING ALL THE CUPCAKES.

The former I consider emphasis, but the latter I consider to be needless screaming.
10/11/2012
Contributor: JennSenn JennSenn
If it's just one word or phrase or even sentence it's just for emphasis. If it's the whole paragraph or something generally that seems like shouting. Or someone left caps lock on. XD
10/11/2012
Contributor: js250 js250
I am good for leaving the caps lock on--then have to rewrite everything again--
10/11/2012
Contributor: QP QP
Quote:
Originally posted by Love Obsessed
I don't consider it shouting a majority of the time.I think of it as emphasis unless the content implies yelling.
I feel the same way.
10/11/2012
Contributor: mdnght mdnght
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
I was asked by EF not write things in all capitals,because in online etiquette it was "yelling". Since "yelling" was not my intent, but just to "emphasize" a point.....like saying "WOW", or ... more
Sometimes, but not necessarily in a bad way... I like to use it in an EXTREMELY EXCITED sort of way
10/11/2012
Contributor: AmethystSmoke AmethystSmoke
I've been on one forum prior to EF and one of the first things I learned about online etiquette is that all caps was considered shouting. A lot can be learned from reading and observing other forum members. When in Rome...

A word in all caps here and there for emphasis is one thing. Several words in all caps in a paragraph makes it difficult to read, often harder on my eyes than if it was entirely written in caps.
10/11/2012
Contributor: anonkitty anonkitty
For me, if it's one or two words (i.e. "NOT" and "YES") then it's emphasis. If it's a phrase or a whole sentence, then yes, it's yelling. (I usually have the mental image of someone doing the finger-pointing emphasis when it's all caps.)
10/12/2012
Contributor: gsfanatic gsfanatic
If it's the majority of the words, yes. I also interpret it as something to ignore
10/12/2012
Contributor: Vaginas Vaginas
depends on the situation I guess
10/12/2012