Italics & Underlining
Italics and underlining are typographical tools used to distinguish and emphasize certain words. In modern writing, italics are standard, while underlining is mostly outdated. Understanding when and how to use them is key to clear, professional writing.
What Are Italics and Underlining?
Italics and underlining are both methods of text formatting used to make certain words or phrases stand out from the rest of the text. In the age of typewriters, underlining was the primary way to show emphasis or mark a title. However, with modern word processors and digital media, italics have become the standard for most cases where emphasis or distinction is needed. Today, underlining is often avoided in formal writing because it can be distracting and is almost universally used to indicate a hyperlink on the web. Understanding the modern conventions for using italics is a key part of polished, professional writing.
When to Use Italics
Italics have several specific functions in modern English writing. Mastering them adds a layer of sophistication and clarity to your work.
| Usage | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Titles of Major Works | For books, movies, albums, plays, newspapers, and magazines. | Her favorite novel is A Tale of Two Cities. |
| Emphasis | To stress a particular word or phrase. | I never said that. |
| Foreign Words | For words and phrases that are not fully assimilated into English. | The meal was served al fresco. |
| Ships, Aircraft, Spacecraft | For the names of specific vessels. | The Titanic sank in 1912. |
| Words as Words | To refer to a word itself rather than its meaning. | The word serendipity is fun to say. |
| Scientific Names | For the genus and species names of organisms. | The scientific name for humans is Homo sapiens. |
The Role of Underlining Today
While once common, underlining now has a very limited and specific role in most forms of writing.
Before word processors made italics widely available, underlining was the standard way to add emphasis or denote a title in a typewritten or handwritten document. For example, a student writing an essay would underline the title of a book: a famous novel.
In today's digital world, this practice is largely considered outdated. Italics are preferred for their cleaner look and better readability. The most significant reason to avoid underlining is that, online, an underlined word almost always signifies a hyperlink. Using it for emphasis can confuse readers, who may expect the word to be a clickable link.
Therefore, unless you are following a specific style guide that requires it (which is rare), or you are using a medium where italics are not possible (like a very basic text editor), it is best to use italics for emphasis and titles.
Italics vs. Quotation Marks
- Italics: For large, standalone works (e.g., books, movies, albums, newspapers, plays). Example: A Tale of Two Cities.
- Quotation Marks: For shorter works that are part of a larger collection. (e.g., articles, poems, short stories, songs, TV episodes). Example: The song "Bohemian Rhapsody" is on the album A Night at the Opera.
Key Takeaways
- In modern digital and print media, italics are the standard for titles of major works, emphasis, and foreign words.
- Underlining is now mostly considered outdated and should be avoided in formal writing, as it can be mistaken for a hyperlink.
- Use italics for the titles of long works (books, films) and quotation marks for the titles of short works (articles, poems).
- Use italics for emphasis sparingly to avoid weakening their impact.
Exercises and Worksheets
Ready to practice? Test your knowledge with these resources.