What is a common reason to use italics in writing?

Using italics in writing is commonly employed to emphasize specific words or phrases. This stylistic choice helps to draw the reader's attention to particular parts of the text, underscoring their importance or meaning within the context. For example, if a writer wants to highlight a key concept, an important idea, or even a term that is being defined, they would use italics to make that element stand out effectively. This technique enhances the readability and clarity of the text, allowing the reader to grasp significant points quickly.

In contrast, indicating text that should be ignored is typically done through strikethrough or other formatting choices, not italics. Changing the font style generally involves a more substantial alteration than simply italicizing, as it can include different typefaces or sizes, while italics maintain the same font family. Lastly, subheadings are typically formatted through bold text or increased size and spacing rather than italics, which primarily serve to emphasize rather than organize the structure of the text.