Using Italics in Writing

Overview  Italicized or underlined words stand out on pages and computer screens to make readers take notice.

Italicize or Underline?  books, journals, and magazines (Highlights for Children, Roald Dahl's Matilda)  plays (Wicked on Broadway)  comic strips (Jim Davis' Garfield)  movies (Kung Fu Panda)  TV programs (SpongeBob SquarePants)  books, journals, and magazines (Highlights for Children, Roald Dahl's Matilda)  plays (Wicked on Broadway)  comic strips (Jim Davis' Garfield)  movies (Kung Fu Panda)  TV programs (SpongeBob SquarePants)  radio programs (Kids' Time! on 93.3 FM)  artwork (Mary Cassatt's Children on the Beach)  newspapers (Northwest Florida Daily News)  music albums (Elvis Presley's Hit Story)  Web sites (Merriam-Webster Online) Italicize or underline the titles of works:

 Remember, italicizing and underlining is for big works.  Use quotation marks for short works, like songs, newspaper articles, chapter titles, short poems, and so forth.  However, do not italicize or underline the Bible, books in the Bible, or legal works, like the Constitution of the United States.  Remember, italicizing and underlining is for big works.  Use quotation marks for short works, like songs, newspaper articles, chapter titles, short poems, and so forth.  However, do not italicize or underline the Bible, books in the Bible, or legal works, like the Constitution of the United States.

 Write 3 sentences incorporating a title.

Italicize or underline the names of these vehicles:  ships (USS Ronald Reagan)  aircraft (Air Force One)  trains (Orient Express)  spacecraft (Explorer 1) Italicize or underline the names of these vehicles:  ships (USS Ronald Reagan)  aircraft (Air Force One)  trains (Orient Express)  spacecraft (Explorer 1)

Italicize or underline foreign words and phrases:  Manuel said "Adios!" to his teacher as he left the classroom.  Karen's favorite dessert is apple pie à la mode. Italicize or underline foreign words and phrases:  Manuel said "Adios!" to his teacher as he left the classroom.  Karen's favorite dessert is apple pie à la mode.

Italicize or underline emphasized words in dialogue:  I really don't want to clean the cat's litter box.  Don't even think about throwing that water balloon. Italicize or underline emphasized words in dialogue:  I really don't want to clean the cat's litter box.  Don't even think about throwing that water balloon.

Remember to italicize or underline. Do not do both in the same body of work.

 Write 5 sentences using some type of underlining that is appropriate.

End Punctuation

Overview  Every sentence you write will have some form of end punctuation.  End punctuation not only tells the reader where to stop, but it tells the reader what kind of sentence he or she is reading.  Every sentence you write will have some form of end punctuation.  End punctuation not only tells the reader where to stop, but it tells the reader what kind of sentence he or she is reading.

Question Marks  Question marks are put at the end of a question.  A question is a type of sentence that asks or requests something.  Examples:  Why do bees buzz?  Will you please close the door?  Question marks are put at the end of a question.  A question is a type of sentence that asks or requests something.  Examples:  Why do bees buzz?  Will you please close the door?

Exclamation Marks  An exclamation is a sentence that expresses strong feelings or commands.  Readers can spot exclamations by noting words like "shout," "scream," and "yell."  Exclamation sentences are followed by exclamation marks.  Examples:  Call 9-1-1! The house is on fire!  Go get your dog before he runs in the street!  An exclamation is a sentence that expresses strong feelings or commands.  Readers can spot exclamations by noting words like "shout," "scream," and "yell."  Exclamation sentences are followed by exclamation marks.  Examples:  Call 9-1-1! The house is on fire!  Go get your dog before he runs in the street!

Periods  Periods are used at the end of sentences that are not exclamations or questions.  They are used at the end of declarative sentences.  Declarative sentences simple statements of fact or truth.  Examples:  It is raining outside.  I like turtles.  Periods are used at the end of sentences that are not exclamations or questions.  They are used at the end of declarative sentences.  Declarative sentences simple statements of fact or truth.  Examples:  It is raining outside.  I like turtles.

Periods  Sometimes, periods may be used at the end of simple commands.  If the command does not express strong emotion, you should place a period at the end of it.  If the command has strong emotion to it, see "exclamation marks" above.  Examples:  Please hand me the TV remote.  Get a bandage for your brother.  Sometimes, periods may be used at the end of simple commands.  If the command does not express strong emotion, you should place a period at the end of it.  If the command has strong emotion to it, see "exclamation marks" above.  Examples:  Please hand me the TV remote.  Get a bandage for your brother.

Colons  Colons are used at the end of sentences that suggest more information follows.  Example:  The following items are on sale :  cameras  cellphones  computers  Colons are used at the end of sentences that suggest more information follows.  Example:  The following items are on sale :  cameras  cellphones  computers

Commas & Quotation Marks

Commas  Commas separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.  Example: I like to eat sandwiches, and I also like to drink juice.  Commas set off introductory subordinate clauses and long phrases.  Example: When I cross the street, I hold my mother's hand.  Commas separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.  Example: I like to eat sandwiches, and I also like to drink juice.  Commas set off introductory subordinate clauses and long phrases.  Example: When I cross the street, I hold my mother's hand.

Comma  Commas set off nonessential clauses and phrases following a specific noun (a proper name of particular person, place, or thing).  Example: Roger Martin, who works at the grocery store, is my neighbor.  Commas separate consecutive words and separate items in a series of three or more.  Example: Aunt Suzie sells dolls, toys, and jewelry in the town square.  Commas set off nonessential clauses and phrases following a specific noun (a proper name of particular person, place, or thing).  Example: Roger Martin, who works at the grocery store, is my neighbor.  Commas separate consecutive words and separate items in a series of three or more.  Example: Aunt Suzie sells dolls, toys, and jewelry in the town square.

 Commas separate two adjectives that modify a single noun (not each other). (If you could place "and" between them, they need a comma.)  Example: My smart, nice teacher gives my class important information.  Commas separate parts of dates and addresses.  Example: My dad was born on April 15, 1978, in Austin, Texas.  Commas separate two adjectives that modify a single noun (not each other). (If you could place "and" between them, they need a comma.)  Example: My smart, nice teacher gives my class important information.  Commas separate parts of dates and addresses.  Example: My dad was born on April 15, 1978, in Austin, Texas.

 Commas mark interrupters and enclose parenthetical expressions.  Example: She told me, however, that my joke was funny.  Commas mark the omission of words.  Example: For my mother I bought flowers, and for my father, a tie.  Commas set off "yes" and "no," tag questions, words of direct address, and mild interjections.  Examples: Yes, I will help you clean your house. I am your friend, right? Sir, thank you for your time. Well, here we go!  Commas mark interrupters and enclose parenthetical expressions.  Example: She told me, however, that my joke was funny.  Commas mark the omission of words.  Example: For my mother I bought flowers, and for my father, a tie.  Commas set off "yes" and "no," tag questions, words of direct address, and mild interjections.  Examples: Yes, I will help you clean your house. I am your friend, right? Sir, thank you for your time. Well, here we go!

Quotation Marks  Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotes.  Examples: After Dad said, "I do not drink coffee," he went to the kitchen to get a soda. My sister told me, "You said, 'I will be home soon.'"  Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks, even inside single quotes.  Examples: After Dad said, "I do not drink coffee," he went to the kitchen to get a soda. My sister told me, "You said, 'I will be home soon.'"

 The placement of question marks with quotes depends on the sentence. If a question is in quotation marks, the question mark should be placed inside the quote.  examples: He asked, "Why do I have to go to the dentist?“ Should I tell him, "You look nice today"? Here the question is outside the quote.  NOTE: Only one ending punctuation mark is used with quotation marks. Also, the stronger punctuation mark wins. Therefore, no period after "today" is used.  The placement of question marks with quotes depends on the sentence. If a question is in quotation marks, the question mark should be placed inside the quote.  examples: He asked, "Why do I have to go to the dentist?“ Should I tell him, "You look nice today"? Here the question is outside the quote.  NOTE: Only one ending punctuation mark is used with quotation marks. Also, the stronger punctuation mark wins. Therefore, no period after "today" is used.

 When you have a question outside AND inside a quote, use only one question mark and place it inside the quotation mark.  Example: Did your brother just ask, "When is dinner?"  Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes inside all quote marks.  Example: Cathy replied, "I think he said, 'We will be at school tomorrow.'"  When you have a question outside AND inside a quote, use only one question mark and place it inside the quotation mark.  Example: Did your brother just ask, "When is dinner?"  Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes inside all quote marks.  Example: Cathy replied, "I think he said, 'We will be at school tomorrow.'"

 Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation, not an indirect one.  Example: "Please tell me the truth," Ashton said. He said that he needs me to tell him the truth.  Use quotation marks around titles of poems, short stories, and songs:  Examples: Dennis read Gil Harper's story "The Minuteman.“ Robert Lowell wrote the poem "Skunk Hour" for Elizabeth Bishop. Brittany hates the song "Cry Me a River."  Use quotation marks to set off a direct quotation, not an indirect one.  Example: "Please tell me the truth," Ashton said. He said that he needs me to tell him the truth.  Use quotation marks around titles of poems, short stories, and songs:  Examples: Dennis read Gil Harper's story "The Minuteman.“ Robert Lowell wrote the poem "Skunk Hour" for Elizabeth Bishop. Brittany hates the song "Cry Me a River."