What do brackets and italics mean?

1. What do the [] brackets mean?
2. Why do people use [] in writing?
3. What do [] mean in quotations?
4. What do italics symbolize?

What do the [] brackets mean?

Square brackets, often just called brackets in American English, are a set of punctuation marks that are most often used to alter or add information to quoted material.

Why do people use [] in writing?

Brackets are used to insert explanations, corrections, clarifications, or comments into quoted material. Brackets are always used in pairs; you must have both an opening and a closing bracket. Do not confuse brackets [ ] with parentheses ( ).

What do [] mean in quotations?

Brackets: In a paper, use brackets to signify important information added to direct quotes. The brackets tell the reader that the information is added to further explain the quote.

What do italics symbolize?

Most commonly, italics are used for emphasis or contrast — that is, to draw attention to some particular part of a text.