A question about formatting

[soflabbwlvr]

I am writing a chapter in a story with a few introductory paragraphs that more or less briefly summarize the period of time that has transpired since the last chapter. I wanted to include a conversation that happened during this intervening period, and I intended to present it in italics to indicate that it occurred prior to the point of time where the narrative will resume. I don't know if this is right or wrong, so editorial opinions on this point will be helpful

Compounding this problem is the fact that I intend to use one or two Spanish words, which I would normally italicize. Do I keep the italics for the text and de-italicize the Spanish words? Is there another solution?

Thank you.

 

[sr71plt]

Italicizing that is probably the best way to do it--if it isn't too long. Italics is a lot harder to read in bulk than roman is. It might be enough to sectionalize it off from what follows.

On the italics within italics. Revert to roman for those words.

 

[PennLady]

Can you just set it off as a prologue? Then follow with Chapter 1 (presuming there is a chapter 1)?

Otherwise, the way I've seen such things in books is as sr71 says, in italics, with words that would normally be italicized reverted to regular.

 

[lovecraft68]

You could also use the

*****
Break to tell the reader you are moving forward from the conversation.

 

[Darkniciad]

There's always the option of <blockquote></blockquote>, one of the allowed tags in Lit submissions.

That sets off the section without italics, and if you're going to have several paragraphs, it will probably be easier on the eyes. The text will have slightly wider margins on both the left and the right, justified within those new margins.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Thank you, everyone. You have been most helpful.