Elements of Style

Good typography serves the reader. Every element—from headings to footnotes—should make the text easier to read, easier to understand, easier to feel.

Emphasis and Voice

We use italics for emphasis, for titles of works, for words used as words. We use bold sparingly, for strong emphasis that demands attention. We can combine both when the moment truly calls for it.

Sometimes we need inline code to reference a variable or function name, distinguished from the surrounding prose by its monospace form.

Lists and Structure

Ordered lists work well for sequences:

1. First, understand the problem
2. Then, devise a plan
3. Execute the plan carefully
4. Finally, review and reflect

Unordered lists suit collections without inherent order:

• Clarity comes first
• Brevity serves clarity
• Rhythm makes reading pleasurable
• Consistency builds trust

Code Blocks

Longer code deserves its own space:

function fibonacci(n) {
  if (n <= 1) return n;
  return fibonacci(n - 1) + fibonacci(n - 2);
}

The monospace font and subtle background set code apart from prose, creating a clear visual distinction between what we say and what we write for machines.

Quotations

Extended quotations deserve special treatment:

The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.

— Mark Twain

The indentation and styling signal that these are borrowed words, deserving of their own space and consideration.

Horizontal Rules

Sometimes we need a pause—a breath between sections that are related but distinct.

The horizontal rule creates space without creating hierarchy. It says: stop here for a moment before continuing.

Tables

When data has structure, tables reveal it:

Nested Elements

Sometimes structure requires nesting:

1. Outer item
   • Nested bullet
   • Another nested bullet
2. Second outer item
   1. Nested number
   2. Another nested number

The indentation creates a visual hierarchy that mirrors the logical hierarchy of the content.

This post exists to test and demonstrate the full range of typographic elements available in markdown.