What about CAPS in the SUBJECT: Field?

E-mail etiquette suggests that full caps should not be used as it gives the impression that you are shouting or indicating strong emphasis.  Does this apply to the Subject: line?

Of course there are exceptions to every rule, however in general, caps are an indication of emphasis as desired by the Sender.  If caps are used in the Subject: field that can be construed as “bringing attention to” by shouting.   Another problem with his approach is you could be misidentified as a spammer because most spammers don’t understand the nuances of case.

If you want to bring attention, it would probably be better to structure your Subject: field to include both caps and small case such as:

Subject: FOLLOW UP: Previous E-mail Subject

Subject: REMINDER: Tomorrow’s Meeting

In comparison, one could assume you were yelling/shouting/adding strong emphasis if you used caps in the Subject: field in the following manner.:

Subject: WHERE’S MY ANSWER?

Subject: DID YOU GET MY E-MAIL!!!!!

See, it’s all in the words you choose and how you choose to use them that can determine if you will be perceived as yelling.  Add those extra exclamation points and there will be no doubt by the other side that you are in fact intentionally making a point!

So it is clear by the first examples that you can use caps to draw attention in the Subject: field without giving a negative perception even before your e-mail is opened.

You may also be interested in:

• The Subject: Field is for the Subject!
• ALL CAPS vs. all small case
• Is Selective Capping in E-mails O.K.?
• Does Size Matter?