1. Emphasis: Italics are primarily used to emphasize a word or phrase, drawing the reader's attention to its importance or significance.
2. Distinction: Italics can be used to distinguish a word from the surrounding text, such as when highlighting a foreign word, a technical term, or a title.
3. Titles and Names: Titles of books, movies, plays, songs, and other creative works are typically italicized.
4. Thought or Inner Voice: Sometimes italics are used to indicate a character's inner thoughts or a voiceover in a narrative.
5. Specific Instances: Authors might use italics for specific stylistic or rhetorical purposes, such as creating a sense of urgency, irony, or a particular tone.
In summary: Italics serve as visual cues, guiding the reader to focus on certain words or phrases that hold particular meaning or significance within the text.