Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 15: Punctuation: Underlining (Italics), Quotation Marks, Apostrophes, Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

Lesson 1: Underlining (Italics)

In this Grade 5 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course, students learn the rules for underlining and italics as they apply to titles of books, plays, films, periodicals, television series, and long musical works. The lesson also covers when to italicize names of ships, trains, aircraft, and spacecraft, as well as words, letters, and numerals referred to as such. Students practice applying these conventions through exercises that reinforce correct usage across all three rules.

Section 1

Italics for Titles of Works

Definition

Use underlining (italics) for titles and subtitles of books, plays, periodicals, works of art, films, television series, and long musical compositions and recordings.

Explanation

When writing about a "big" creative work, like a whole book, movie, or magazine, you need to make its title stand out. You can either underline it with a pen or put it in italics on a computer. It's like putting a special spotlight on the title! Just remember to pick one style—either underlining or italics—but not both at the same time.

Examples

  • I am reading the book The Giver for my class. [The Giver is in italics because it is the title of a book.]
  • Have you seen the movie Home Alone? [Home Alone is in italics because it is the title of a movie.]
  • My mom gets a new issue of Better Homes and Gardens every month. [Better Homes and Gardens is in italics because it is the title of a magazine.]

Section 2

Italics for Vehicles

Definition

Use underlining (italics) for names of ships, trains, aircraft, and spacecraft.

Explanation

Just like titles, the special names of big vehicles need to stand out! If you're writing about a specific ship, train, airplane, or even a spaceship, put its name in italics or underline it. This helps your reader know you're talking about a famous vehicle's proper name.

Examples

  • The Pilgrims sailed to America on a ship called the Mayflower. [Mayflower is in italics because it is the name of a ship.]
  • For my report, I built a model of the space shuttle Challenger. [Challenger is in italics because it is the name of a spacecraft.]
  • The express train named the Acela travels very fast. [Acela is in italics because it is the name of a train.]

Section 3

Italics for Words as Words

Definition

Use underlining (italics) for words, letters, and numerals referred to as such.

Explanation

Sometimes you want to talk about a word, letter, or number itself, not what it means. When you do that, you use italics to show you're treating it like an object. It shows you're talking about the word, not using the word.

Examples

  • Is the word receive spelled with an ie or an ei? [The words and letters are in italics because they are being referred to as such.]
  • I can't tell if you wrote a 4 or a 9. [The numerals 4 and 9 are in italics because they are being referred to as numbers.]
  • The abbreviation for Incorporated is Inc. [Inc. is in italics because it is being referred to as a word.]

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Chapter 15: Punctuation: Underlining (Italics), Quotation Marks, Apostrophes, Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

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    Lesson 1: Underlining (Italics)

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Quotation Marks A

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Quotation Marks B

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Apostrophes

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Italics for Titles of Works

Definition

Use underlining (italics) for titles and subtitles of books, plays, periodicals, works of art, films, television series, and long musical compositions and recordings.

Explanation

When writing about a "big" creative work, like a whole book, movie, or magazine, you need to make its title stand out. You can either underline it with a pen or put it in italics on a computer. It's like putting a special spotlight on the title! Just remember to pick one style—either underlining or italics—but not both at the same time.

Examples

  • I am reading the book The Giver for my class. [The Giver is in italics because it is the title of a book.]
  • Have you seen the movie Home Alone? [Home Alone is in italics because it is the title of a movie.]
  • My mom gets a new issue of Better Homes and Gardens every month. [Better Homes and Gardens is in italics because it is the title of a magazine.]

Section 2

Italics for Vehicles

Definition

Use underlining (italics) for names of ships, trains, aircraft, and spacecraft.

Explanation

Just like titles, the special names of big vehicles need to stand out! If you're writing about a specific ship, train, airplane, or even a spaceship, put its name in italics or underline it. This helps your reader know you're talking about a famous vehicle's proper name.

Examples

  • The Pilgrims sailed to America on a ship called the Mayflower. [Mayflower is in italics because it is the name of a ship.]
  • For my report, I built a model of the space shuttle Challenger. [Challenger is in italics because it is the name of a spacecraft.]
  • The express train named the Acela travels very fast. [Acela is in italics because it is the name of a train.]

Section 3

Italics for Words as Words

Definition

Use underlining (italics) for words, letters, and numerals referred to as such.

Explanation

Sometimes you want to talk about a word, letter, or number itself, not what it means. When you do that, you use italics to show you're treating it like an object. It shows you're talking about the word, not using the word.

Examples

  • Is the word receive spelled with an ie or an ei? [The words and letters are in italics because they are being referred to as such.]
  • I can't tell if you wrote a 4 or a 9. [The numerals 4 and 9 are in italics because they are being referred to as numbers.]
  • The abbreviation for Incorporated is Inc. [Inc. is in italics because it is being referred to as a word.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 15: Punctuation: Underlining (Italics), Quotation Marks, Apostrophes, Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

  1. Lesson 1Current

    Lesson 1: Underlining (Italics)

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Quotation Marks A

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Quotation Marks B

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Apostrophes

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

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