Morwen -- to create italics, type an "i" between angle brackets (the "upper case" on the period and comma keys) before the section you want to italicize; at the end of the section, do the same, but put a / mark before the "i" like this:

< i > and < / i > ... but without the spaces. Use a "b" for bold text, a "u" for underlines, and an "s" for strike-through.