Think of italics as a spotlight. When you italicize a newspaper name, you’re telling the world, “This is a big deal!” It adds rhythm and emphasis to your sentence.
Plus, it’s a tiny victory every single time you get it right. You’ll feel like a grammar ninja, silently smirking at your computer screen. And who doesn’t love a little secret confidence boost?
The exception that proves the rule
Okay, here’s the curveball: what if you’re writing by hand? Italics are tricky with a pen. In that case, underlining is the old-school equivalent. So if you’re jotting a note on a napkin, feel free to underline the Wall Street Journal name—it’s still correct!
Titles of Works — Underline or Italicize?
Also, don’t italicize the word the if it’s not part of the official name. For instance, you’d write “the Chicago Tribune” (no italics on “the”) unless the paper itself says its name is The Chicago Tribune. Check their website header—it’s a fun detective game!
