What is the proper way to show a character's thoughts?

Question

I'm writing a short story for my honors English class (I'm in 9th grade). I am writing it in 3rd person omniscient. At several different points in the story, the main character is thinking. I'm not sure how to show the thoughts. I've been using italics, but am I also supposed to use quotation marks as well? I know I've seen it done different ways in different books, but what is the most commonly accepted way, as my teacher is very strict?

Thank you!!

Answer 1

I read a lot of current novels, and the most common way of relating thoughts is in Italics. You would not use quotation marks along with the Italics.



You deserve credit for understanding writing viewpoints as well as you do in 9th grade.

Answer 2

As you're writing this for an Honours project, then ignore anything you may have read in novels as, authors being the creators, can do this however they wish.

I certainly wouldn't pay attention to someone's blog, as has been suggested.



There are two acceptable ways of presenting thought in this context.



One is to use single glyphs ( ' ) or to italic them.



'I wonder if it'll rain?' he thought, but vocalised "Fine day".



If you keep quote " marks for speech only, then either single ' quote or italics is easily understood.

Answer 3

http://www.mywritingblog.com/2007/12/representing-thoughts-in-fiction.html recommends no punctuation at all, saying it's unnecessary. He prefers italics to quotation marks or other ways of showing thoughts.



http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/153438/incorporating_characters_thoughts_into.html?cat=4

distinguishes between direct and indirect thoughts, and recommends an approach for each.

Answer 4

Try use quotes from other characters to express his feelings and emotions