<p>I’ve noticed that the Common Application allows people to use bold print in their essays, and I wondered if anybody was taking advantage of that. I’ve thought of writing a few of my supplements with a Quora-esque style, bolding important information, etc., but I’m not sure how the readers would view it.</p>
<p>(For the uninformed, Quora is a Q&A website where users frequently use bold print for organizational means.)</p>
<p>If you’re going to do so, have a compelling reason. The focus should be on the content, not the formatting. </p>
<p>But sometimes the formatting can enhance the content. For example, heading a paragraph with bold print might set off a new idea, or it might highlight a striking feature of the essay. For longer essays, formatting with bold print can keep the reader focused, because it says, “Look at me! I’m big!”</p>
<p>^This is the kind of thing I am talking about. For shorter questions, it might involve highlighting my answer and explaining why underneath. It’s not particularly formal, but it makes my response simple and direct, and it’s the style I prefer for everyday writing. </p>
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<p>Precisely. You’ll be fine.</p>