In a [similar question on EL&U](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/14876), I asked about suggestions for indicating that a quote is *written* instead of *spoken*.

[Robusto's answer](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/14876/use-quotation-marks-or-italics-for-written-quotes/14883#14883) suggested several possible approaches:

* For longer quotes of written text, use a form of block quote
* Shorter sections can be highlighted in a special font or all caps

> 
> DO NOT ENTER, the sign seemed to scream at me as I approached.
> 
> 
>

My first thought was to simply italicize the quoted text:

> 
> *I know who the killer is*, she wrote, but she never managed to send her message.
> 
> 
> 

I wanted to pose this question to this community, as it relates to *writing style* more than the formal conventions of English.

What approach would you recommend?