When writing a story do I have to put thoughts in quotation marks, speech marks or does it not matter?

It's what's known as poetic license: some writers put a character's thoughts in quotation marks, others use semi-quotation marks: ('I would really like to say this.') And still others don't use either. But italics are most commonly used for emphasizing words--in either narrative or dialogue--and they should be used very sparingly. (It's not a good idea to completely italicize the words of a sentence).

Don't use italics or quotation marks for thoughts. However, if a character is recalling dialogue, put the recalled dialogue in italics, or if writing a professional manuscript you intend on submitting for publication, then write the words you want using the "underline" option, italics in a professional manuscript are scruffy and unwanted, the typesetter will change underlining to italics if your work is published. Do not use quotes as another user suggested, thoughts are thought, not speech, and this is cause for confusion for the reader.

It's not professional. Introspection with a tag is a possible solution. For example: Maybe Liam will listen to reason before someone gets hurt, thought Carl.

If you are writing in third person then use introspection with either past or present tense. For example - Introspection using third person and past tense: Carl hoped Liam would listen to reason before someone got hurt. Introspection using first person and present tense: I hope Liam listens to reason before someone gets hurt, thought Carl.

Introspection using first person and past tense is called Indirect Introspection and should be used whenever possible, as this is the best option for writing. Remember to write in such a way that keeps the persona of your character.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.