How to write thoughts of a person in 3rd person?

Question

I want to write what my character is thinking, without her saying them aloud to herself. How to I correctly put that onto paper? I'm not sure if I'm supposed to use quotation marks, it would look something like:  "Why are they here?" she thought. But that kind of makes it look like she said it aloud, even though I put "she thought". Or do I write it in italics, or maybe use nothing special at all?

Hamie H {RA} · Accepted Answer

Italics would work, that's what I use and everyone understands fine.

Anonymous · Answer

I use italics, but I sometimes do it indirectly. (Like the previous posters "She wondered why they were here"). I've also seen it without any special formatting - i.e.: 
Why are they here?, she thought.

Crazed In Theory · Answer

There are three different ways. You can use Italics, or do it like this:

'Why is she here?' She thought.

It doesn't have this " it has this ' instead.

or you can do Italics and the above.

Hope i helped dear!

Lots-a-Love
----Nikki-----

agilebrit · Answer

You can use italics, or you can do it indirectly:  [She wondered why they were here.]

Anonymous · Answer

You should use italics. So, it would be /Why are they here/, she thought.
P.S. // means italics

Anonymous · Answer

Try www.storyjoin.com It allows you to collaborate with other members and write stories together.

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How to write thoughts of a person in 3rd person?

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