Writing styles evolve. The novels of 50 or 60 years ago—think Agatha Christie, John Steinbeck, or Harper Lee—often look and feel different on the page than contemporary fiction. One notable shift is how authors handle internal dialogue or character thoughts.
While older novels frequently used italics to express thoughts, modern authors and editors are more divided. The question remains: Should you use italics to show what a character is thinking?
Let’s break down the pros and cons of using italics for character thoughts, how formatting trends have changed over time, and what today’s writers should consider when choosing a stylistic approach.
🔍 The Historical Use of Italics in Fiction Writing
In the mid-20th century, the use of italics to denote a character’s unspoken thoughts was standard practice. Classic writers like Agatha Christie or Ray Bradbury used italics as a visual cue, helping readers distinguish between narrative voice, dialogue, and internal musings.
In these decades, fiction writing was often more “formal” in tone, with a clear structure for punctuation, grammar, and formatting. Readers expected to see italics signaling a thought—just as they expected quotation marks around spoken dialogue.
However, modern fiction has become more fluid. With the rise of close third-person and first-person narratives, many contemporary writers have moved away from formatting thoughts in italics. Instead, they integrate thoughts seamlessly into the narrative, often without any visual markers.
✅ Pros of Using Italics for Character Thoughts
1. Immediate Visual Cue for the Reader
Italics quickly signal that the text represents a character’s internal thoughts—not spoken dialogue or narration. This is especially helpful in third-person narratives where the voice shifts between internal and external views.
Example:
What was he thinking? She shook her head and walked away.
2. Helps Distinguish Thought from Dialogue
When characters are having both internal reactions and verbal conversations, italics help separate the two without needing extra dialogue tags or explanation.
3. Useful for Brief, Isolated Thoughts
Short bursts of internal reflection or reaction—especially emotional responses—are often more effective when italicized for clarity and pacing.
4. Works Well in Limited or Deep POV
If your story is told through deep third-person or first-person point of view, using italics can help readers connect more directly with a character's personal thought process.
5. Supports Stylized or Genre-Specific Choices
Genres like romance, thrillers, and speculative fiction often still rely on italics to show thoughts, as do some sub-genres like young adult fiction or cozy mysteries.
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❌ Cons of Using Italics for Character Thoughts
1. Overuse Creates Reader Fatigue
When italics are used too frequently—especially more than once or twice per page—they can become visually distracting. Too much italic text disrupts flow and can make the prose feel melodramatic or overwritten.
2. May Be Considered Dated by Modern Standards
Many contemporary editors and publishers recommend against using italics for thoughts, especially in literary fiction. Some believe it "ages" your writing or suggests an outdated style, particularly for genres like sci-fi or contemporary lit.
3. Confusion with Emphasis or Titles
Italics already serve multiple functions: emphasis, foreign words, and the titles of books, poems, films, or songs. Using italics for thoughts as well can blur the lines and confuse the reader—especially when titles are thought about by characters.
4. Not Always Consistent with Genre Expectations
Different genres have different expectations. For example, modern literary fiction typically weaves thoughts seamlessly into the narrative without italics. In contrast, commercial genres like romance or fantasy may still favor italicized thoughts.
5. Can Weaken Narrative Flow
In close third-person or first-person POV, character thoughts can often be implied without needing special formatting. Italics can sometimes interrupt a strong, immersive voice instead of enhancing it.
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🧭 What Do Modern Style Guides Say?
There is no universal rule—and even major style guides disagree:
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) suggests that direct thoughts can be italicized for clarity but leans toward avoiding italics in narrative-heavy writing.
- AP and MLA styles are less relevant for fiction but generally limit italic use for emphasis or titles.
📌 Pro Tip: If you're submitting to a traditional publisher or working with a freelance editor, ask for their preference. Consistency matters more than the choice itself.
🧠 Practical Guidelines for Fiction Writers
If you're new to fiction writing and unsure whether to use italics for internal dialogue, consider the following:
- Use italics sparingly—limit to one or two uses per page.
- Reserve italics for isolated thoughts, emotional bursts, or direct internal monologue.
- Be consistent—don’t mix styles (e.g., italics for some thoughts and regular font for others).
- In first-person POV, often you don’t need italics at all. The thoughts are already in the narrator’s voice.
- Always test your formatting with beta readers or critique partners to ensure readability.
📝 Conclusion: It’s About Clarity, Not Just Style
Ultimately, the decision to use italics for character thoughts comes down to clarity and consistency. Whether you choose to italicize or not, the goal is to make sure readers can follow the story without confusion.
If you write in a vintage or traditional style, italics may serve your narrative well. If you’re aiming for a modern or minimalist voice, embedding thoughts directly into your prose might be more effective.
Whichever path you choose, make it deliberate, and trust your voice to guide the format—not the other way around.