All Caps Plus Italics vs. Quotes

WannabeWriter · Apr 19, 2008

In my WIP, I am writing a sentence where my main character is reading the digital display on a telephone mentioning the person he is calling. Which is better? Putting the display in quotes or in italicized all caps? In other words...

The display said "John Smith."

OR

The display said JOHN SMITH.

What should I do?

dpaterso · Apr 19, 2008

I vote whichever way you like, both are clear enough. Just keep it consistent throughout.

-Derek

seun · Apr 20, 2008

What D said. As little as I know about the wonderful world of publishing, I don't think anyone would be too bothered if you used italics rather than caps. If it helps at all, I write text messages in caps and bold. And I make sure they're the same throughout.

HeronW · Apr 20, 2008

I'd use italics, the same as if I was telling a person's thoughts since reading is the visualization of someone else's thoughts whether in a book or a screen.

dpaterso · Apr 20, 2008

Of course, yet again, when we say italics we really mean underline.

Which might not look so cool in your manuscript.

-Derek

All Caps Plus Italics vs. Quotes

WannabeWriter

dpaterso

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seun

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HeronW

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dpaterso

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