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All Caps Plus Italics vs. Quotes

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WannabeWriter

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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

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

-Derek
 

seun

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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

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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

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

Which might not look so cool in your manuscript.

-Derek
 
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