Italics are one of those elements of novel editing that can get pretty confusing. Using italics in your story can either help or harm your writing depending on the context. So how can you tell the difference? Let’s talk about it!
Hi, I’m Kaitlin, an editor for indie romance writers, and I hope after reading this post you’ll feel more confident spotting the difference between italics that strengthen your writing and ones that are better left on the shelf.
Let me start by saying: not all italics are bad! In fact, italics are genuinely helpful in a few specific situations.
In most fiction, spoken dialogue is distinguished by quotation marks and dialogue tags (like she said or he shouted). But what about a character’s thoughts? Italics can really work well in this instance—they clearly show your character is thinking rather than speaking.
A quick qualifier: Italics are best used for very short thoughts, and they can often be avoided altogether by using tags like she thought or he wondered. If your character indulges in a long-winded inner monologue . . . well, we’ll talk about the downsides to that later in this post!
Italics are also useful when you want to emphasize a specific word or (short) sentence. Just be careful not to lean on italicizing as a substitute for clear writing. If there truly isn’t a better way to draw attention to a specific word or phrase, italics can get the job done. CMOS (Chicago Manual of Style) points out that if you use italics for emphasis, overusing them is counterproductive. Meaning: Readers will start to get too familiar with them!
A few other customary uses of italics: titles of certain published works or sound effects within a story.
Okay! We’ve covered some common-sense situations for italicizing in fiction works. Now let’s dive into the two main contexts where you should definitely avoid italics in your writing.
You might have noticed my list of valid reasons for italics doesn’t include flashbacks, dream sequences, long letters, or journal entries. While some published books use italics in this way, I don’t recommend it.
Why? Let’s dig into it.
Put yourself in your readers’ shoes for a moment. You’re caught up in a great story, turning page after page, and suddenly get hit with a long wall of italicized text. It tires your eyes, slows you down, and is honestly super tempting to skim—or even completely skip over (I’ve definitely done this as a reader! Have you?). If that section provides essential information for your plot or character development, your readers might miss out on critical elements of the story. Yikes!
Then there are accessibility issues. Long blocks of italics are especially challenging for readers with low vision or dyslexia. Also, many e-reader devices can’t recognize other fonts, creating display issues and massive confusion for your readers.
My top tip: If a long section matters, don’t put it in italics!
The second area where italics generally don’t belong is with words from another language. Italicizing them draws unnecessary attention to those words as “foreign,” which can unintentionally alienate some readers. By following this type of “sensitivity editing,” your story will feel more inclusive and accessible to all readers regardless of cultural differences.
Italicizing non-English words can also feel clunky or inauthentic. Just think about your character’s world—to them, they’re a real, living person just like you. They are just living their life and using their own vocabulary. If they wouldn’t explain themselves or use air quotes in real life, then it shouldn’t be italic on the page.
CMOS backs me up here! Many non-English words appear in contemporary American English dictionaries, so the general rule of thumb according to CMOS 7.55-7.56 is this: If it’s in the dictionary, it’s considered common vocabulary and shouldn’t be italicized. In all other cases, your editor’s discretion (and blog posts like these) can guide you.
What if you’re genuinely concerned a non-English word might confuse your readers? This is where strong, clear writing is crucial. Use the surrounding context to clarify the meaning of that word. If your book uses many of these types of words, a glossary in the front or back can provide a reference point for curious readers.
Trust me, there are plenty of ways to clearly structure your writing without relying on italics!
Triggers are going to be your best friend here. You can transition into a flashback through a specific intro sentence, placing the section in a block quotation, or simply mentioning a character your reader already knows is from the past. For a letter or journal entry, start with a date or a Dear Diary–esque opener. These small clues tell readers there is a switch happening and make italics unnecessary.
Ask yourself: If the only way a reader knows they are entering a flashback, dream sequence, journal entry, or letter is because the entire thing is set in italics, does the writing itself need work? Formatting can be helpful, but it shouldn’t replace strong, clear storytelling.
Definitely not! For short pieces, like a note placed in running text or a short internal thought, italics can be very effective. But overused? They can lose their impact, overwhelm your readers, and even cause important moments to get lost in the font. Guidance from CMOS and advice from experienced fiction editors can help you italicize effectively and keep readers engaged in your story!
Do you feel more confident now about where and when to italicize—and when NOT to? Still have questions? I’d be happy to talk about your manuscript and offer a free sample edit. Send me a message here and let’s get going!
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