Emphasis

Encoding Instructions (new P5 version)

The WWP uses the emph element to encode renditionally distinct words or phrases which convey linguistic or rhetorical emphasis, and which are not encoded with a more specific element (quote, name, etc.). Renditional distinctness in this case means renditional shifts which apply to the entire word (such as italics, small caps, all caps), not initial capitalization.

In earlier texts which highlight large numbers of words, it may be difficult to draw a clear line between emphasis and other reasons for renditional distinctness, and particularly between the use of emph and the WWP element mcr. In general, emph should be used only where it is fairly clear that some rhetorical or linguistic emphasis is intended, for instance to point to a contrast (see examples); in texts which highlight every noun, one would tend to use emph only rarely. But in later texts, where highlighting is less frequent and less routine, one might be more likely to assume that highlighting serves to convey an actual rhetorical emphasis in the highlighted words.

Example 1:
        <p><emph rend="slant(italic)">Real 
        illness</emph>, through that fatal day, served me as an 
        apology...reason taught me sufficient self-command, to <emph 
        rend="slant(italic)">appear</emph> tolerably 
        composed...</p>  (from the Gleaner)
        
        Example 2:
        <p>How <emph rend="slant(italic)">could</emph> you, when you 
        <emph rend="slant(italic)">knew</emph> I hated him?</p>
        
        Example 3:
        <p>Although his <emph rend="sland(italic)">manners</emph> are 
        impeccable, his <emph rend="sland(italic)">morals</emph> are distinctly 
        peccant.</p>