Font styles

Font styles can be useful for calling attention to parts of a document. Italics, boldface, underlining, and capitalization can provide emphasis in different ways. Be consistent throughout a document in the ways you use these styles.

Italics is used in certain situations:

In technical and business writing, terms are sometimes italicized at their first mention in a document or a chapter: “AIDS patients monitor their levels of helper T-cells because these cells detect antigens in the body and activate other cells to fight the antigens.”

Bold is best used

Underlining is best used

CAPITAL LETTERS are best used

small caps are best used

Large fonts

Sometimes you may need to use a large font for signs, posters, or visuals for oral presentations (such as PowerPoint slides). In such cases, check if your text is easy to read by standing back from your document at the distance of your intended readers. A presentation slide might use fonts in the range of 24 points to 48 points. A scientific poster might use display fonts up to 96 points.

Cautions on font styles

Sample text using font styles and colors

Sample business card using different fonts

Symbols and special characters

You may need special characters or symbols for words in a language that uses accent marks or for non-English characters. You might need Greek characters, math symbols, or icons of various sorts. You can find them in Word in the Insert menu by clicking on Symbol.

The Symbol window gives you access to special characters. You select a font and a subset of symbols. You can then select and insert a character by double-clicking on it.

Related topics:

Italics

Capitalization