Create a simple sentence that contains a proper title, such as the name of a book, or which includes a phrase that needs emphasis.
Write the sentence on a chalkboard or other surface that all the children can see. Underline the title or phrase and explain why you chose to underline that text.
Write another sentence on the board with a title or phrase that needs to be underlined. Ask the students to tell you which words need to be underlined.
Type a sentence into a word processing program and italicize a title or phrase inside of it. Print the page and pass it around the classroom.
Ask the students to type the same sentence and guide them through highlighting the phrase and italicizing it using the word processing program if you have computers inside the classroom.
Explain the difference between each method and why a student would choose one over the other. For example, handwritten assignments use underlining, while a typed assignment may use italicizing.