The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Italics
DO Use Italics for…
For titles, such as books and movies, and even brand names.
For vehicle names, as this can be considered a brand name.
To show that a word belongs to another language.
DO Use Italics for Emphasis
1) I never said we should kill him.
2) I never said we should kill him.
3) I never said we should kill him.
4) I never said we should kill him.
5) I never said we should kill him.
6) I never said we should kill him.
7) I never said we should kill him.
1) Insinuates the narrator never said, “We should kill him.”
2) Insinuates the narrator never said, “We should kill him.”
3) Insinuates the narrator never mentioned killing him.
4) Insinuates the narrator never said they and another character should kill him.
5) Insinuates the narrator never hinted at killing him.
6) Insinuates the narrator never suggesting killing him.
7) Insinuates the narrator never suggested killing that particular person.
DON’T Use Italics for…
Overuse of emphasis, as this can become irritating to a reader.
Common Non-English words, such as “anime.”
DON’T Overuse Italics for Thoughts
Italics are most commonly used to represent direct thoughts from characters. However, this can be a risky thing to do. There is a thin line between using italics for thoughts, and making the mistake of TELLING readers something when you should be SHOWING them through description.
Thus, most italicized thoughts included in your manuscript can be replaced with physical reactions brought on by emotions, which will help SHOW rather than TELL.
Including too many streams of conscious thoughts in your manuscript can lead to flat writing. Many novels avoid using them altogether in order to avoid altering the tone of a scene or their whole book. Italicized thoughts are not important to a character (it doesn’t count as characterization) nor is it necessary for storytelling.
