Quotation marks may be used to set off words used as words - Quotation marks - Punctuation

Rules for writers, Tenth edition - Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers 2021

Quotation marks may be used to set off words used as words
Quotation marks
Punctuation

Although words used as words are ordinarily italicized (see 43c), quotation marks are also acceptable. Be consistent throughout your paper.

The literary terms “simile” and “metaphor” are sometimes confused.

The literary terms simile and metaphor are sometimes confused.