  THE first italic types were designed and used by Aldus Manutius, the celebrated Italian printer, of the fifteenth century. It is said that the style was suggested by the handwriting of Petrarch. In the first fonts only the lower case letters were italic, the capitals being roman; but this irregularity soon gave way to the more regular style of italic capitals and lower case. 1. Italic is not used for the text of a book, but it is permissible for the preface, extracts, etc. 2. For poetry and other matter of a literary character italic has a decorative effect. 3. Italic is used for emphasis in roman composition and vice versa. 4. Italic is used frequently for subheads, running-heads, and side-heads, as well as for important paragraphs or extracts. 5. Italic is often used instead of roman-quoted for the titles of books, magazines, newspapers, and names of ships. 6. Signatures or credits are often placed in italic at the end of an article. 7. Foreign words and phrases are often required to be set in italic, but there are many which are now so familiar to English readers {63} that they are kept in the ordinary text. The following is a list of the most familiar words:
8. The following expressions, which are not as a rule so well known, should be italicized:
{64} 9. Italic is used in the following words, phrases, and abbreviations employed in literary and legal references: e.g., ibid, idem, loc. cit., op. cit., ad loc., s.v., supra, infra, passim, vide, circa (ca.). Exceptions: cf., i.e., e.g., v. (versus), viz., etc., which are always roman. 10. Punctuation marks which are placed after italicized words should be italic. Italic is used:1. For the names of plaintiff and defendant in the citation of legal causes. 2. In algebraic, geometric, and similar matter to designate unknown quantities, lines, etc. 3. For s. and d. (shilling and pence) following the figures: e.g., 1s. 6d. 4. For specific names in Botany, ZoÖlogy, and Geology. 5. In medical matter roman is used instead of italic for scientific terms. 6. For names of stars or constellations in astronomical matter. 7. In resolutions for the word Resolved. In MS. one line drawn beneath a word or sentence signifies that it is to be put in italic. |
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