Welcome to Writing Forums, one of the fastest growing writing communties on the web.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and photo galleries. By joining our free community you will
be able to talk with other writers, get feedback on your work to improve your writing skills, discuss ideas, share tips & tricks, network and make friends!
Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support.
| Tips & Advice Share your tips, tricks and advice. |
07-19-2007, 05:10 AM
|
#1
|
|
Addict
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: AZ, USA
Gender: Female
Posts: 118
|
Ship names and italics
OK, so I've got a few ships (boats, cruisers, etc.) in my story and I've always seen ship names in italics. But is it necessary to always italicize a ship's name? 
__________________
|
|
|
|
07-19-2007, 05:13 AM
|
#2
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: South-east UK
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,843
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Himani
OK, so I've got a few ships (boats, cruisers, etc.) in my story and I've always seen ship names in italics. But is it necessary to always italicize a ship's name? |
It's a convention, so although not mandatory it's preferred. |
|
|
|
|
07-19-2007, 07:23 AM
|
#3
|
|
Adept Writer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: The safety of my head
Gender: Male
Posts: 818
|
Helps to let the readers know it's a ship name.
__________________
"It's always fun until someone gets hurt, and then it's just hilarious"
Ricochet - Faith No More
"Walk softly, and carry a big gun."
Force Commnander - Dawn of War
|
|
|
|
|
07-19-2007, 08:31 AM
|
#4
|
|
Prolific Writer
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Florida
Gender: Male
Posts: 222
|
This is one of those instances where you might want to stick to the rules. According to the Chicago Manual of Style, a hard copy of which can be found sitting on every literary editor's desk, it states that the names of specific ships, submarines, aircraft, spacecraft, and artificial satellites are italicized, but not such abbreviations as USS or HMS. Such as: HMS Bounty or USS John F. Kennedy. Good luck. |
|
|
|
|
07-19-2007, 05:53 PM
|
#5
|
|
Addict
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: AZ, USA
Gender: Female
Posts: 118
|
I think I actually have the manual of style...waiting to be unpacked with the rest of my books...ahem...
Thanks for the info! I wonder if this rule applies to sci-fi spaceships, as well?
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
07-19-2007, 06:46 PM
|
#6
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: South-east UK
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,843
|
It does.
|
|
|
|
|
07-19-2007, 09:20 PM
|
#7
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Back 'home' on Tinian!
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,445
|
imo, the cms is more for journalism than creative writing... i'd go with a strunk & white for fiction, over the cms... i actually had a cms once, but found it too much of a pain to use and not applicable enough to creative writing, to make it worth keeping/using the hefty tome vs a handy little s&w... so, when i gave up a magazine editorship and stopped writing columns for mags and newspapers, i gave it away... and haven't missed the durn thing once, ever since...
__________________
For 100% free writing help/mentoring:
www.saysmom.com
"You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi
|
|
|
|
|
07-20-2007, 02:58 AM
|
#8
|
|
Addict
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: AZ, USA
Gender: Female
Posts: 118
|
Ironically, I have cms (never gave it away after graduating), but I have yet to buy strunk & white. Sad, I know.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
07-20-2007, 08:00 AM
|
#9
|
|
Prolific Writer
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Florida
Gender: Male
Posts: 222
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Himani
Ironically, I have cms (never gave it away after graduating), but I have yet to buy strunk & white. Sad, I know.
|
There are lots of grammar guides online including this one that cover the proper use of italics. Using them can save you time and money. |
|
|
|
|
07-20-2007, 10:22 PM
|
#10
|
|
Wordsmith
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Back 'home' on Tinian!
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,445
|
nice site, joe!... thanks for the addition to my 'favorites' and pass-ons to mentees...
hugs, m
__________________
For 100% free writing help/mentoring:
www.saysmom.com
"You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi
|
|
|
|
|
07-21-2007, 07:46 PM
|
#11
|
|
Addict
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: AZ, USA
Gender: Female
Posts: 118
|
Ah, thanks for the link. It was most helpful. 
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:12 PM. Powered by vBulletin, Copyright ©2000-2007, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0
|
|
Newsletter |
 |
|
Subscribe to Majestic
the official newsletter of Writing Forums and lit.org
|
|
Link to Us: 
|
|
