Italic style calligraphy is elegant and pleasing to the eye, with its slightly sloped letters and long ascenders & descenders. It can be relatively simple or embellished with flourishes and ornaments. Also known as the Chancery Cursive, it is often one of the first types of calligraphy that beginners choose to learn. Easy to read, it can be used in a wide variety of circumstances, from diplomas to wedding invitations.