Italics are an important part of writing, particularly in academic settings. You should know when to use them and how much emphasis to give certain words. However, it can be difficult to find the correct rules for using them.
Whether you’re writing an essay, research paper, or formal letter, it is essential to know the grammatical rules for italics so you can avoid mistakes and make your text clear and readable. It can also help you to ensure that your work is consistent and adheres to the style guidelines set forth by the specific institution where you are a student.
When to Italicize Article Names
The title of a book, journal, or website should be italicized. Similarly, the titles of short stories and poems should be italicized as well. This rule is often followed for works of fiction and non-fiction.
When to Italicize Foreign Words or Short Phrases
If you’re unsure whether to italicize a title, check the English dictionary. If the word or phrase isn’t a commonly used English word, then you don’t need to italicize it.
When to Italicize Titles of Subsections or Major Works
The titles of major works like books, journals, and legal cases should be italicized. However, smaller works such as articles or chapter titles should be placed in quotation marks.
When to Italicize Shorter Works or Those with Double Quotes
The titles to shorter works should be written with double quotes, and they are generally included within the larger works that are italicized. These include short stories, essays, poetry collections, television series episodes, song titles, and web or journal articles.
When to Italicize the First Word of a Plant or Animal Name
The first word of a scientific plant or animal name should be italicized, but the second term should not. This is because the first word is typically the genus and not the species.
When to Italicize a Religious Word or Name
The name of a sacred place, such as a church or temple, should be italicized when it appears in a religious document. This is especially common in religious documents such as the Torah and the Koran.
When to Italicize Other Special Terms
The names of some technical terminology and other words that readers may expect to be unfamiliar are often italicized the first time they appear in a piece of writing. This is to prevent cognitive dissonance, which can occur when an audience becomes confused or distracted by unfamiliar terminology.
When to Italicize Technical Terms
The technical terms that are often italicized in academic writing include those related to medical science, economics, and business. This is because they are expected to be unfamiliar and confusing to most people, and may require a bit of explanation.
When to Italicize Legal Terms
The titles of legal cases are sometimes italicized, and this is true for other types of legal terms as well. This is because the law can be complex and specialized, and it can be hard to understand if you don’t have a background in the subject matter.
