---
title: "Element <italic>"
source: https://dev.pageseeder.com/psml/elements/element-italic.html
description: "PSML Element reference for <italic>"
last_updated: 2026-08-07T17:09:54+10:00
tokens: ~258
---

# \<italic\>

## Summary

The `<italic>` element can be used to italicize a span of text or provide some emphasis.

Other character-style elements: **`<bold>`, `<monospace>`, `<sup>`, `<sub>`**

## Usage context

| Element category | character-style |
| --- | --- |
| PSML level | portable |
| Permitted content | text and other character-style elements |
| Permitted parent |  |
| HTML equivalent | `<i>` or `<em>` |
| OpenXML equivalent | run with `<w:i>` property  |

## Attributes

This element does not have any attributes.

## Examples

The following text:

```lang-xml

<para>`Can't remember <italic>what</italic> things?' said
       the Caterpillar.</para>
```

Is rendered as:

\`Can’t remember *what* things?' said the Caterpillar.

## Schema

### XML Schema

```lang-xml

<xs:element name="italic" type="character-style"/>
```

### Relax Schema

```lang-relax

element italic { character-style }
```

## Compatibility

This element was introduced in the first draft of PSML and is well-supported from PageSeeder 5.1.