HTML5 Foundations

appendix a

Additional HTML Markup for Text

Throughout this book, you have learned about several HTML elements that can be used for layout and content markup. In this appendix, I cover some additional HTML elements that can be used to mark up your text content.

Indicating Importance

The <strong> element is used to signify that a piece of text is important and should be noted. Browsers will usually display the content as bold text; however, it is important to understand that by putting text within a <strong> element you are also altering its semantic meaning. You should not use it purely for styling purposes. (In those cases, you should use the <span> element and CSS, as discussed later in this appendix.)

<p>

  <strong>Do not cross the bridge</strong>, as the support

  structure has been weakened.

</p>

In the preceding example, I use the <strong> element to indicate that the instruction is more important than the explanation.

Emphasizing Text

The <em> element is used to place emphasis on a particular word or phrase. This element can be used to change the meaning of a sentence and indicates that the content should be read with a different mood or voice. The following example conveys the tone that someone is very passionate about HTML5.

<p>HTML5 <em>rocks</em>!</p>

This would appear in most browsers as “HTML5 rocks!”

Browsers will usually style text within the <em> element in italics, but again, it should not be used purely for styling purposes. Using a <span> element with CSS would ...