Presenting Texts

Personally, I think the best way to set such a thing apart from the main narrative... is the tone of the text. Have it have a very different voice. If a reader could distinguish the two types of text even when just listening to someone read it aloud, that is what I'd strive for.
I know this is not quite what you were looking for, but I would be my approach.
Apart from that, what you suggest seems valid to me, setting the different text off by a slightly different indentation and maybe italics sounds ok. One thing you could probaly add is some kind of 'heading:' in the case of a letter, add the formal address, in the case of some legal document, that, too has 'headers.'


Example:
Andrew looked at the letter and started to read:

Dear Andrew,
I would like to tell you of all the nice things that have occurred since you left, but I can not.

Andrew put the letter down and took a deep breath.

Even without formatting, I think here it is clear what is the written text, and what is the narrative (ok, it's an easy example).


Hope that helps a bit.

 

What I've read, and what I prefer, are the italics. It's a clear distinction from the narration, and, to me, fits the role of records and letters well. Sometimes, I've seen a different font used, but really, I prefer the italics. They're a change, but a small change as compared to a changed font (sometimes it jars me).

I don't think it's even necessary to space them out or anything; it would be enough with the italics. But that's just me.

I'd say go ahead with the italics.

 

Italics, and possibly the margin adjustment, are the usual method. Font tweaks are possible, but I agree, that's the kind of subtle change that's disorienting.

 

To my mind, italics only. Margin adjustment as in your example could break the immersion of the reader. Keep your pages the same as far as you can, to promote smooth reading.

 

I used line breaks and indented the margins. I didn't do italics.

 

I think italics is most commonly used, and I prefer it. I don't believe indentation is necessary or a different font. If it's italicized, I get the idea. Best of luck!

 

Italics and indentation are, in my mind, the most easily recognizable way to do this.

 

I'm with Steerpike on this one. The Copyeditor's Handbook doesn't mention using italics at all, just indenting the extract.