1. Leonardo Pisano

    Leonardo Pisano Active Member

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    Emphasising words in dialogue

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Leonardo Pisano, Feb 17, 2011.

    If you want to put emphasis on a word in a dialogue, is then putting that word in italic clear enough, or is it better to explain.

    "Rubber is the biggest waste problem of France," the professor said, emphasising 'the'.

    versus

    "Rubber is the biggest waste problem of France," the professor said.

    Is there a preference or is it a matter of style? or is it better to use both throughout the story randomly?
     
  2. Taylee91

    Taylee91 Carpe Diem Contributor

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    No, don't use both of them randomly. I can imagine this would drive an editor a bit crazy but would also make you loose the emphasis on your emphasized words. Keep in mind to use emphasis sparingly, however. A little goes a long way.

    In my opinion, it is better to put the word in italics. It's just a bit clearer to understand, while your other tactic seems to me a bit weaker. I want to know how a character says a word while he/she is speaking. Not after the fact.

    But this is a personal preference of course. :D
     
  3. Porcupine

    Porcupine Member

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    Italics all the way.
     
  4. Elgaisma

    Elgaisma Contributor Contributor

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    Either italics or rearrange the sentence so the emphasis falls naturally for example

    'The biggest waste problem in France, is rubber.'
     
  5. w176

    w176 Contributor Contributor

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    There is very few cases when you really need emphasis, usually you get it across without actually needing to point it out. Trust you readers, you often need it in extremely few cases.

    In the few cases you need it, both methods is fine, but whats differ is the pacing. With italics you get it immediately which can be important in a fast paced scene. But describing the emphasis get more information across.
     
  6. Terry D

    Terry D Active Member

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    Use italics. "But use them when you want to stress what the speaker finds important, not the author."
     
  7. Leonardo Pisano

    Leonardo Pisano Active Member

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    Thanks for your suggestions. I think the italic style is easiest, but wasn't sure if the emphasis meaning would come across.

    To make it a bit more complicated, what if you want to describe the emphasis together with some body language?

    E.g., "Rubber is the problem of Europe," the professor said, knocking rapidly twice with his right index finger on the table accompanying 'the'. Would that be too complicated, or does it indeed (as I intend) "show" rather than "tell"?
     
  8. Leonardo Pisano

    Leonardo Pisano Active Member

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    Sure. I want the reader to "feel" HOW the speaker said it, and this must fit the situation. It's all about creating context and atmosphere.
     
  9. Peerie Pict

    Peerie Pict Contributor Contributor

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    You don't always need to use italics. Another way of conveying the Professor's meaning is to say:

    "Rubber alone is the biggest waste problem of France,"

    or

    "Rubber is the singularly biggest waste problem of France,"

    Admittedly, I think the italicised version is the most emotive as you can imagine the Professor emphasising the word for dramatic effect.
     
  10. Elgaisma

    Elgaisma Contributor Contributor

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    "Rubber is the,' he thumped his hand down on the desk 'problem of Europe," ? Maybe find a shorter emphasis though.
     
  11. w176

    w176 Contributor Contributor

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    "Rubber is the," he paused adding emphasis, "-biggest waste problem of France."
     
  12. VM80

    VM80 Contributor Contributor

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    Italics. Not too often that it loses its emphasis though...
     
  13. Porcupine

    Porcupine Member

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    I like both. Depends on who your professor is, and how deep you want to go with him, but that last sentance you wrote actually already gives me a picture of the professor in my mind, while the first one (with italics) simply tells me what he is saying and how.
     
  14. N@asha

    N@asha Member

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    "Rubber is the problem of Europe," the professor said, knocking rapidly twice with his right index finger on the table. accompanying 'the'.

    Use italics sparingly or they will no longer add emphasis. It's not necessary to tell your reader the rapid knocks came when he pronounced 'the'. Trust them to be intelligent enough to work that out.
     
  15. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    either can work, so it depends on which works best in each instance...

    that said, i wouldn't advise using the first method more than once!...
     

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