I suspect there is something you are not telling us as

  <xsl:template match="section">
  <caps>
  <strong>
  <xsl:apply-templates/>
  </strong>
  </caps>
  </xsl:template>
produces the desired output from the stated input, but there is I
suspect a hidden agenda in your desire to use <emph> ?

David


 XSL-List info and archive:  http://www.mulberrytech.com/xsl/xsl-list