in fiction, what is the rule of thumb for using italics? do you only use it when the narrator is thinking?

Question

What about in this case: "I could tell what he was thinking, he was thinking, 'I wish it was a Tuesday'"

should the thought be in italics?

Answer 1

There is no "rule of thumb". Italics are used principally for emphasis. Sometimes they are used in a section that is a flashback, so that the reader gets a better sense of events happening before the main story. However, you, as author, may put thoughts in italic, but not ALL of your characters' thoughts because you then lose the impact of italic. Put your characters' thoughts in quotes, just like the regular dialogue, but put your main character's thoughts in italic if you want the reader to feel closer to that person. You can also put only the occasional, special thought (e.g., He wouldn't dare come back for the body!) in italics, just to make it stand out. In your example, italic would work well for "I wish it was a Tuesday", but your single quotes do the job just as well.

Answer 2

I 'm pretty sure, but not very sure...try looking at the other peoples answers too! They are more help than I am!
I think it's when the characters are thinking...
EX:
(in italics)
What in the world? What is that cat doing in my car?
Hope I cleared it up a bit!=D

i don't think the author's thoughts are in italics!
I'm not sure about the author actually...

Answer 3

Usually, this is used for emphasis or telepathic thought. For example, if in fantasy, a character is speaking to a dragon or some other magical animal through thought, it is always put in italics.