Italics and dialogue?

avid-dreamer · Feb 14, 2008

Ok, meeeeeeeeeeeee again!

Ok, If I'm writing a line of dialogue and I want to have my character stress a word is it ok to use Italics?

EXAMPLE:

BOB
Then how do you explain all this?

is it ok to do that?

Thanks people!!

HeronW · Feb 14, 2008

Italics is mostly used when a character is thinking or as an aside. Using them as emphasis for a word or two is okay but scattering them throughout the novel looks as bad visually and mechanically as doing all caps for emphasis. If possible, try to show how the character is reacting vs using formatting tags.

Ex: Sara looked at Tom's trashed room in disgust, 'You expect me to clean this?'

We know Sara is disgusted, at whom and why. Putting 'this' in italics really doesn't add anything.

Plot Device · Feb 14, 2008

HeronW said:
Italics is mostly used when a character is thinking or as an aside. Using them as emphasis for a word or two is okay but scattering them throughout the novel looks as bad visually and mechanically as doing all caps for emphasis. If possible, try to show how the character is reacting vs using formatting tags.

Ex: Sara looked at Tom's trashed room in disgust, 'You expect me to clean this?'

We know Sara is disgusted, at whom and why. Putting 'this' in italics really doesn't add anything.

I don't think avid-dreamer is writing a novel. I believe he's writing a screenplay. And screenplays are almost universally written in present tense, not past tense. (I am so totally NOT being snarky here.

)

And I really don't have an answer for a screenpay scenario myself.

My own possible answer is that if you feel very very firmly about the need to make the actor stress the pronunciation of a word in a bit of dialogue, then maybe put that word in CAPS, but not italics.

I actually have used a combination of italics and caps and bold for an entire clause in an action paragraph, because I felt that strongly that there was indeed a very distinct need to point out to the reader the fact that this was a very very important moment in the screenplay. I did it just once. One pro reader felt that my choice to combine all three formatting elements was a little heavy-handed, but he did "get" the gist of what I was saying.

But your scenario is not action it's dialogue.

Again, if you feel strongly, yes. If there's a possibility that your failue to use SOME kind of font/formatting emphasis might result in either the reader or director or actor TOTALLY misunderstanding that entire piece of dialogue, then yes, go ahead. But be very sparing about ever hauling out the italics. Maybe once or twice at the very most in any given screenplay.

::ETA::

Screenplays --even now in the 21st century-- are supposedly still supposed to LOOK like they were written with a typewriter --a sixty-year-old manual Underwood typewriter. So CAPS are still pretty much the ONLY "accepted" form of font emphasis (italics and bolds are still no-no's). While I think it's kind of silly to be so traditionalist about it, there is admittedly a modern/computer-age consideration for this font-conservative attitude: when you cast your script out of Final Draft (or even out of Word) and into a txt document, you will lose all those italics and bolds. But the CAPS remain blissfully intact as you morph from one document format to the next.

dpaterso · Feb 14, 2008

If you absolutely must emphasize a word or phrase in dialogue, use underline not italics or bold.

As with all things, don't do this too often or you'll lose the impact.

And the word is that actors don't like being told how to deliver their lines.

-Derek

clockwork · Feb 14, 2008

I'd go with underlining rather than italics to stress dialogue though I'd advise its use sparingly, if at all.

ETA: Sigh... Derek, Derek.

Julie Gray · Feb 14, 2008

From the point of view of a reader and a script analyst, using italics is no big deal at all. I must say here guys, that so often aspiring writers either worry about or are sticklers for tiny details without knowing that in fact, those are not the issues that stop a reader cold. Worry about the BIG stuff like your premise, character work, structure and theme. Small execution issues like italics are, unless wildly abused and I've never seen that, not important in the equation. I have read a-list scripts with typos and horrible formatting and before anyone else says it, yes, a-list writers are held to a different standard, so of course you should do your best to make sure your pages are clean and well executed, but italics - really - it's no big deal.

For example, Derek - sorry but underline rather than italic might seem right to you but it makes no difference to a reader. We readers don't have a Strunk & White Book of Itty Bitty Script Picks for things like that. And when an executive reads the coverage or talks to us they don't say - did the writer use italics or underlines? NOBODY CARES.

Sorry, but I often see other aspiring writers answer questions like this one quite authoritatively, as if there is some Italics or Underline or Ellipses book on high - but take it from a person who has read thousands of scripts and gets paid to do so by companies such as Bedford Falls - please don't sweat that stuff - it's not consequential. Sweat writing a really great, really compelling, unique story. That's worth sweating.

dpaterso · Feb 14, 2008

clock_work9 said:
ETA: Sigh... Derek, Derek.

Sorry.

-Derek

clockwork · Feb 14, 2008

Don't apologise - you even used an example in your post. Why didn't I think to do that? I mean, what am I, stupid? Sheesh.

dpaterso · Feb 14, 2008

Julie, what can I say, this is exactly the kind of stuff I don't like to sweat over, it's tiny, it's insignificant, I gave the OP the best and easiest answer I could think of (based on wasted years of fiddling around on writing boards and using photocopiers that blur italics but handle underlines OK) so he can just get on with his writing. That's the only reason I can see anyone replying to a question like this. Please, by all means stop by more often and respond to every basic question that's posted, suits me, and it'll save everyone time.

-Derek

Julie Gray · Feb 14, 2008

I'm sorry if I sounded cranky, Derek! I read scripts daily with soft, under-developed premises, with two-dimensional characters, with non-existent second acts and then I see writers post questions like this and sometimes you just wanna - aarrghgh.

But. That said. It is a legitimate question and one that a very new writer should ask. I mean, how do you know if you don't ask? But no matter how many times you try to stress that these questions are ultimately unimportant, they just keep asking them. It's like watching TV so you can avoid your homework. Anyway, that's my rant today. Kisses.

clockwork · Feb 14, 2008

dpaterso said:
Julie, what can I say, this is exactly the kind of stuff I don't like to sweat over, it's tiny, it's insignificant, I gave the OP the best and easiest answer I could think of (based on wasted years of fiddling around on writing boards and using photocopiers that blur italics but handle underlines OK) so he can just get on with his writing. That's the only reason I can see anyone replying to a question like this. Please, by all means stop by more often and respond to every basic question that's posted, suits me, and it'll save everyone time.

-Derek

You know, I'm starting to think Avid is some masochistic pupeteer who delights in posting seemingly harmless questions that soon fester into controversial Holy Wars for the sheer hell of it. (No, not really Avid, just kidding.)

Usually along the lines of;

AVID: How do I accomplish ABC?
Poster 1: By doing ABC.
Poster 2: I agree. ABC.
Poster 3: XYZ is better.
Poster 1: XYZ isn't what he asked. XYZ is different.
Poster 3: I like XYZ. You should do that.
Poster 2: #$*"&$£!!!

Julie Gray · Feb 14, 2008

avid-dreamer · Feb 14, 2008

Plot Device said:
I don't think avid-dreamer is writing a novel. I believe he's writing a screenplay. And screenplays are almost universally written in present tense, not past tense. (I am so totally NOT being snarky here. )

And I really don't have an answer for a screenpay scenario myself.

My own possible answer is that if you feel very very firmly about the need to make the actor stress the pronunciation of a word in a bit of dialogue, then maybe put that word in CAPS, but not italics.

I actually have used a combination of italics and caps and bold for an entire clause in an action paragraph, because I felt that strongly that there was indeed a very distinct need to point out to the reader the fact that this was a very very important moment in the screenplay. I did it just once. One pro reader felt that my choice to combine all three formatting elements was a little heavy-handed, but he did "get" the gist of what I was saying.

But your scenario is not action it's dialogue.

Again, if you feel strongly, yes. If there's a possibility that your failue to use SOME kind of font/formatting emphasis might result in either the reader or director or actor TOTALLY misunderstanding that entire piece of dialogue, then yes, go ahead. But be very sparing about ever hauling out the italics. Maybe once or twice at the very most in any given screenplay.

::ETA::

Screenplays --even now in the 21st century-- are supposedly still supposed to LOOK like they were written with a typewriter --a sixty-year-old manual Underwood typewriter. So CAPS are still pretty much the ONLY "accepted" form of font emphasis (italics and bolds are still no-no's). While I think it's kind of silly to be so traditionalist about it, there is admittedly a modern/computer-age consideration for this font-conservative attitude: when you cast your script out of Final Draft (or even out of Word) and into a txt document, you will lose all those italics and bolds. But the CAPS remain blissfully intact as you morph from one document format to the next.

Well said! However, I'm not a HE - I'm a SHEEEE

. Thanks for the info people!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julie Gray · Feb 14, 2008

Actually, lol, don't use caps to emphasize a word unless it's a LOUD sound or a bell RINGING and even then, keep it to a minimum. Italics are pretty low key but capping can be distracting and also capping in a shooting script has a distinct purpose of indicating a prop, sound effect, etc. so it really doesn't belong in a spec script save rarely.

clockwork · Feb 14, 2008

Julie Gray said:
:

That wasn't directed at you, Julie, I promise. Rather, just trying to comically highlight a bit of a Bermuda Triangle phenomenon that's been doing the rounds at least as long as the three years I've been here.

Julie Gray · Feb 14, 2008

Oh Chris, you're so sweet. It's okay, I know, I'm a veteran of that phenomena over on Done Deal. A battle-scarred veteran, in fact. But I was being kind of cranky. I do apologize. Momma needs a cocktail now.

avid-dreamer · Feb 14, 2008

clock_work9 said:
You know, I'm starting to think Avid is some masochistic pupeteer who delights in posting seemingly harmless questions that soon fester into controversial Holy Wars for the sheer hell of it. (No, not really Avid, just kidding.)

Usually along the lines of;

AVID: How do I accomplish ABC?
Poster 1: By doing ABC.
Poster 2: I agree. ABC.
Poster 3: XYZ is better.
Poster 1: XYZ isn't what he asked. XYZ is different.
Poster 3: I like XYZ. You should do that.
Poster 2: #$*"&$£!!!

I declare my innocence!

LIVIN · Feb 14, 2008

FONT/STYLE: Use Courier 12 point. There is no other choice, don't be silly. Underlining is okay to add emphasis. The only place I've ever seen italic used to good effect was to designate speaking another language. The only place I've seen boldface used to good effect was to designate translation subtitles.

From link removed via request from other site's Webmaster.

I'd like to bring this to the attention of Julie Gray. While I must admit Derek does not speak for all people, I must also admit you don't speak for all readers.

Julie Gray · Feb 14, 2008

Nobody speaks for everybody. But I think I have a fairly good jumping off point in terms of execution in scripts. Being that I employ rather a large number of readers.

Plot Device · Feb 14, 2008

Julie Gray said:
Nobody speaks for everybody. But I think I have a fairly good jumping off point in terms of execution in scripts. Being that I employ rather a large number of readers.

Not only does Julie have a large number of readers, but her blog called "The Rogue Wave" is probably in the top ten most well-known screenwriting blogs out there at the moment.

It even has spawned a polite and respectful copycat blog called "The Rogue Wavelength" run by a pro reader whom I also happen to (sort of) know. (What do they say about imitation being the highest form of flattery?) Julie's blog gets around. Her name gets around. She may not speak for all readers, but when she does speak, the EF Hutton thing kinda happens.

MrJayVee · Feb 14, 2008

Rules, etc....

A little something from my blog that might be help...

http://theworkingscreenwriter.blogspot.com/2007/11/we-see-and-other-rules.html#comments

NikeeGoddess · Feb 14, 2008

julie - didn't i see you on the stage at the last expo?

LIVIN · Feb 14, 2008

I look at it like a movie with continuity flaws. Like that scene in Almost Famous, after the t-shirt debacle, when the lead singer and the kid are walking and talking on the street, and that VW van drives by numerous times. Personally, it bugs me briefly, but I'm a big fan of the movie, nonetheless. That van is italics. While the rest of the piece can make one overlook it, I'd rather not have to force anyone to overlook anything... lest my masterpiece get lost in something that is easily fixable.

LIVIN · Feb 14, 2008

Julie Gray said:
Nobody speaks for everybody.

Yes, I know nobody speaks for everybody, but paragraphs such as the following could lead one to believe that you think you speak for everybody. I bolded stuff for ease of seeing what I mean.

Julie Gray said:
For example, Derek - sorry but underline rather than italic might seem right to you but it makes no difference to a reader. We readers don't have a Strunk & White Book of Itty Bitty Script Picks for things like that. And when an executive reads the coverage or talks to us they don't say - did the writer use italics or underlines? NOBODY CARES.

But, if everyone wants to talk about your blog, don't let me stop you...

nmstevens · Feb 15, 2008

dpaterso said:
Julie, what can I say, this is exactly the kind of stuff I don't like to sweat over, it's tiny, it's insignificant, I gave the OP the best and easiest answer I could think of (based on wasted years of fiddling around on writing boards and using photocopiers that blur italics but handle underlines OK) so he can just get on with his writing. That's the only reason I can see anyone replying to a question like this. Please, by all means stop by more often and respond to every basic question that's posted, suits me, and it'll save everyone time.

-Derek

I don't think that Julie was looking to be critical -- maybe it just seemed that way.

For what it's worth, I'd tend to agree with her.

It's not that underlining is right or wrong, or that italics is right or wrong. At one point there was standard advice about it, but in recent years, with everybody in the world writing on a computer, where italics and bold and underline are a button away, it just doesn't matter the way it once did.

Really. Nobody cares. Whichever you want. Just so long as you don't go nuts with it.

The fact is, in the end, you obviously want to work on presentation issues, because you don't want to prejudice the reader right off the bat with a bunch of typos and formatting mistakes and stuff -- but ultimately, even if all the presentation stuff is perfect and the substance is lacking, it won't matter.

And if the substance is there and the presentation is not perfect, your script will move forward.

NMS

Italics and dialogue?

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