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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Best way to signify a characters thoughts?

I was wondering whether anybody had any suggestions on how to show that a characters is thinking something? (forgive e, I know this question is not clear - see example)

I know that dan brown uses italics (and treating them like an utterance i.e. new speaker new line) e.g.

my grandfather as one of them, Sophie thought etc.

and I've read books here it is simply stated with out anything e.g.

my grandfather as one of them, Sophie thought etc.

but I've also seen other authors use different techniques; I as just wondering if here are any particular rules on this nd if not hat is the general preference (once again sorry for not being clear...i tried my best)

Thanks in advance for your help
  

Top answer

Hi, I wouldn't say there are any rigid rules for this. I'd use quotation marks in your example of "My grandfather as one of them", Sophie thought. Clive

— Clive

  • Hi, I wouldn't say there are any rigid rules for this.
  • I'd use quotation marks in your example of "My grandfather as one of them", Sophie thought.
  • Clive
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2 Answers
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Hi,
I wouldn't say there are any rigid rules for this.
I'd use quotation marks in your example of "My grandfather as one of them", Sophie thought.

Clive
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Yes, as suggested, there are no rules saying thoughts must be in italics or regular text. But I have read some purists say that the use of italics is an abomination in writing especially if one was writing literature.
Chris
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