| Rules for Using Italics | |
| Use italics in the following situations: | Examples: |
| to indicate titles of complete or major works such as magazines, books, newspapers, academic journals, films, television programs, long poems, and plays | Steinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men. The Simpsons is a funny television show about American culture and family life. |
| foreign words that are not commonly used in English | Wearing blue jeans is de rigueur for most college students. |
| words which are being discussed or explained | The English word nuance comes from a Middle French word meaning "shades of color." |
| words or phrases that are being emphasized | The very founding principles of our nation are in danger! |
Source: Purdue's Online Writing Lab