To signal that you are using a word ironically or sarcastically:
1. use either single or double quotation marks to set off the word you wish to distinguish.
2. use italics interchangeably with single or double quotation marks, changing periodically for variety.
3. use double quotation marks only, and use them with discretion, as their overuse will have an adverse effect.
4. Use single quotation marks only, and avoid using them to indicate emphasis instead of irony or sarcasm.

Question

To signal that you are using a word ironically or sarcastically:
       1. use either single or double quotation marks to set off the word you wish to distinguish.
       2. use italics interchangeably with single or double quotation marks, changing periodically for variety.
       3. use double quotation marks only, and use them with discretion, as their overuse will have an adverse effect.
       4. Use single quotation marks only, and avoid using them to indicate emphasis instead of irony or sarcasm.

anonymous · Answer

5. None of the above, I believe. Use only italics to express irony or sarcasm, and then only sparingly. It is better to re-construct your sentence such that the emotion you want to convey relies upon most *all* the words in the sentence. hehe. *all* signifies italics.