The Art of Emphasis: Understanding the Use of Italics in Literature

Italics (Italics) can be used to denote many different aspects of language. Italics in writing
are often used for thoughts, foreign words, emphasis, and titles.

Here are some examples of italics being used in each instance:

Emphasis
Original Text: "I didn't just like the cake; I loved it."
With Italics: "I didn't just like the cake; I loved it."

Inner Thoughts or Dreams

Original Text: He looked at the clock. It was almost time for the game.
With Italics: Almost game time, he thought, glancing at the clock.

Flashbacks
Original Text: As a child, she had lived in France for a year.
With Italics: She remembered when she was a child. For a whole year, she had lived in France.

Foreign Words
Original Text: She greeted her Spanish teacher with a cheerful "Good morning."
With Italics: She greeted her Spanish teacher with a cheerful "Buenos días."

Titles of Works
Original Text: Have you read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee?
With Italics: Have you read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee?

Sarcasm
"You're right, I absolutely love spending my Saturday nights doing homework."

Now, try categorizing the below sentences into appropriate groups:

1. You must not simply understand the material, you must know it.
2. Where did I leave my keys? she thought, patting her pockets.
3. She remembered the time when she was only five. We were living in a small apartment
in New York back then.
4. He greeted his Italian friend, "Buongiorno, come stai?"
5. Her favorite book is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
6. It's not just a matter of wanting it, it's a matter of needing it.
7. He looked at the old photograph, It was the summer of '89, and we were at the lake
house.
8. She whispered to her dog in German, "Guter Hund.”
9. I'm going to ace this test, he thought confidently while studying.
10. Have you seen the movie Inception by Christopher Nolan?

Emphasis Inner thoughts Flashbacks Foreign Words Titles

 Italics Activity (Chapter 11-13)

1. Sled, he knew abruptly. He was sitting on a thing called sled. And the sled itself
seemed to be poised at the top of a long, extended mound that rose from the very land
where he was. Even as he thought the word “mound,” his new consciousness told him
hill.
a. Reason for Italics: ___________________________________________
b. Role / Explanation: ___________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

2. “It hurt a lot,” Jonas said, “but I’m glad you gave it to me. It was interesting. And now
I understand better, what it meant, that there would be pain.”

a. Reason for Italics: ___________________________________________

b. Role / Explanation: ___________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

3. “It’s just that I don’t know your name. I thought you were The Receiver, but you say
that now I’m The Receiver. So I don’t know what to call you.”

a. Reason for Italics: ___________________________________________

b. Role / Explanation: ___________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

4. Jonas listened, trying hard to comprehend. “And the sled?” he said. “It had that same
thing: the color red. But it didn’t change, Giver. It just was.”

a. Reason for Italics: ___________________________________________

b. Role / Explanation: ___________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

5. The Giver flicked his hand as if brushing something aside. “Oh, your instructors are well
trained. They know their scientific facts. Everyone is well trained for his job.”

a. Reason for Italics: ___________________________________________

b. Role / Explanation: ___________________________________________
_________________________________________________________