Italic: A Setting Apart

This week in my writing class, the professor decried the use of most italic in book form. I silently agreed and probably head bobbed. I have long had issue with most italic, wherever it is found. Exception would be scripture. After testdriving a Honda CR-V, I decided not to purchase in large part because the dashboard numbers were in italic.

I use italic for book titles, as is proper per style guides. And, occasionally, I use italic for emphasis. But, rarely and in dialogue. I think bold should be reserved for headings and subheads. I never underline.

On Friday evening, I pulled out the box and plastic zippered bag that are Christmas. It took about 7 seconds to decorate. After putting up my mother's two trees, this is not a bad thing. I have a How The Grinch Stole Christmas! Coloring Book. Of course, I would never take a crayon to it. It is the whole she-bang for $2.75. A great book. I am in happy agreement with the use of italic in The Grinch. The Whos and Who-ville. His use of capitalization is to be praised.

Then he got an idea!
An awful idea!
THE GRINCH
GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!

In class on Wednesday, I sent in my third piece to be reviewed for this week. It contains a flashback in italic. It is almost 3/4 of a page. I was torn about this section, keeping it in italic or not. There are other flashbacks in the piece, none of which are as lengthy or in italic. The first section was an international flashback. It made sense at the time to use that style. The other flashbacks are U.S. based. I never really decided what to do and handed in as is, partially to obtain feedback on this stylistic matter. I know I will get an earful. The poor professor.