# I - Italic Text

Syntax | <I>...</I>
Attribute Specifications | common attributes
Contents | Inline elements
Contained in | Inline elements, block-level elements

The I element suggests that text be rendered as italic text. In most cases, use of a phrase element such as EM, DFN, VAR, or CITE is more appropriate since these elements express the meaning of the text more clearly.

The I element is a suitable choice for marking a structure for which no phrase element exists. For example, foreign phrases and taxonomic names have no structural element in HTML 4.0, but italic text is often an appropriate visual rendering:

`<H1><I LANG=fr>Chacun son goût !</I></H1>
<P>Some people prefer dogs--<I CLASS=species>Canis familiaris</I>--while others are eternal lovers of cats--<I CLASS=species>Felis cattus</I>.`

Note the use of the CLASS and LANG attributes to add structural significance to the I elements. This allows greater flexibility when applying style sheets to different kinds of italic text.

## More Information

- I in W3C HTML 4.0 Recommendation
- I in W3C HTML 3.2 Recommendation
- I in HTML 2.0 Standard
- I in WDG HTML 3.2 Reference
- I in Learning HTML 3.2 by Examples