JUDO
Flasher
- Joined
- May 1, 2001
- Posts
- 2,240
To: The Pocket*
Yes, we need to learn stuff sometimes - drag that it may be, but it will help us to be better poets.
Poets? Yes, poets we claim to be, but writers we are as well. And learninig more about our tools will assist our readers in the magic that blossoms in their minds.
I'm not saying that punctuation is necessary for poetry, not at all - but if we learn what is normally done and applied (The Rules), then we can "break the rules" with confidence.
Now then, with all intent stated, I must say that I don't feel I'm very qualified to give out definitive advice on punctuation. It's likely that much of what I say will be incorrect, so feel free to contribute to the public IQ and correct me.
I have learned some things from some much better writers than myself over the years. So, without further adieu, here's what I've learned.
Punctuation for Pauses
The most common punctuation we see in poetry happen between sentences: periods (.), exclamation points (!) and question marks (?). The second most frequest punctuation is probably the comma (,), but knowing when to use it is decidedly difficult. That's where I will begin.
The comma
I use the comma most often in five places:
The Semi-colon
Another mystifying punctuation mark is the semi-colon [;]. The only rules I recall from school governing the little devil are that it lies between two independent clauses or it's used to set off a clause that is used to further clarify an idea.
The colon
So, right after its semi half-brother, I give you the colon [:]. I usually only use the colon in two places - before a list of items after an introductory sentence about them or before an example (as used in this post).
The dash
Now, the dash (-) is a more recent item added to my arsenal of pausing. Currently, I'm certain I use it without the proper guidelines as it seems to fill up a lot of places in my writing. It's intended for longer moments of pause, as if the character were pondering what to say or their were emotionally detached for a moment, lost in their own mind for what to say.
The ellipse
The most mis-used of all the punctuation marks, the ellipse (...) is composed of only three periods. It is intended to be used in the place of more words, as if the speaker was interrupted, or they had more to say, but couldn't put their thoughts together fast enough.
* * *
Recently, I wrote a pretty long story. If it had been published, it would have been sixty pages or so (like a novella or longish short story). Alex De Kok (another Lit writer) helped me to understand the use of the above not-named punctuation (Sorry, I don't know the name or I've forgotten it).
It's used at the moment in a storyline when there is a scene change, or perhaps a change of point-of-view. (I think this can apply to poetry as well)
Now, all of this said, I'm certain that there are more punctuations used for pausing. I'm as equally certain that some of you will add to this post for my idiot assumptions, and to correct or add to what I have posted. When you do, please try to give concise examples, so that we can all learn to be a little bit better at writing what we write.
Punctuated and Pondering.
- Judo
(*- The Pocket is an old name that some of used to describe what the Poets at Literotica are - a Pocket of Poets. You know, like a gaggle of geese, a pride of lions, etc.)
(Edited for spelling - TY, Rybka)
Yes, we need to learn stuff sometimes - drag that it may be, but it will help us to be better poets.
Poets? Yes, poets we claim to be, but writers we are as well. And learninig more about our tools will assist our readers in the magic that blossoms in their minds.
I'm not saying that punctuation is necessary for poetry, not at all - but if we learn what is normally done and applied (The Rules), then we can "break the rules" with confidence.
Now then, with all intent stated, I must say that I don't feel I'm very qualified to give out definitive advice on punctuation. It's likely that much of what I say will be incorrect, so feel free to contribute to the public IQ and correct me.
I have learned some things from some much better writers than myself over the years. So, without further adieu, here's what I've learned.
Punctuation for Pauses
The most common punctuation we see in poetry happen between sentences: periods (.), exclamation points (!) and question marks (?). The second most frequest punctuation is probably the comma (,), but knowing when to use it is decidedly difficult. That's where I will begin.
The comma
I use the comma most often in five places:
- 1.) Between two phrases that share or complete an idea.
Ex: Her beautiful hair teased the wind, flowing over her shoulders.
2.) After an introductory adverbial clause.
Ex:Before the cock crowed, he was halfway up the mountain.
3.) Between two phrases connected by a connecting word or phrase like: "and, but, or, ere, although" or "on the other hand".
Ex1: The car jumped off the bridge, cartwheeled through the air, and plunged into the icy river.
Ex2: She usually watched him until he closed the window, although today she felt a need to talk.
4.) In quoted dialog that is "tagged" with "he said/she said."
Ex: "I'm glad you've read it," she said.
(NOTE: I've learned to generally avoid tagging like this, however. Now, I try to make what is said obvious enough that it can either stand on it's own, or have a clarifying sentence)
Ex: "I'm glad you've read it." She bit her lip, waiting for his slow answer.
5.) Surrounding an identifying statement
Ex: Bob, the town drunk, stumbled up the path, carefully balancing a bottle between his neck and shoulder.
The Semi-colon
Another mystifying punctuation mark is the semi-colon [;]. The only rules I recall from school governing the little devil are that it lies between two independent clauses or it's used to set off a clause that is used to further clarify an idea.
- 1.) two independent clauses - an independent clause is one which could be a separate sentence - subject and predicate exist in each one, but if the two clauses share a common explanation or idea, then they can be one sentence offset by a semi-colon.
Ex:The clown's appearance made the audience laugh; his antics were quick and exaggerated.
2.) further clarification
Ex:His wounds bled onto the tarmac; it soaked quickly into the cracks.
The colon
So, right after its semi half-brother, I give you the colon [:]. I usually only use the colon in two places - before a list of items after an introductory sentence about them or before an example (as used in this post).
1.) Before a list.
Ex: The box should contain the following items: a power cable, a mouse, the computer, a service agreement, a monitor, monitor cable and instruction manual.
2). Before an example (See item 1).
The dash
Now, the dash (-) is a more recent item added to my arsenal of pausing. Currently, I'm certain I use it without the proper guidelines as it seems to fill up a lot of places in my writing. It's intended for longer moments of pause, as if the character were pondering what to say or their were emotionally detached for a moment, lost in their own mind for what to say.
1.) pondering
Ex: "Did you think I was - that stupid?"
2.) detached
Ex: I had begun to think of him as more of a brother than - my husband.
The ellipse
The most mis-used of all the punctuation marks, the ellipse (...) is composed of only three periods. It is intended to be used in the place of more words, as if the speaker was interrupted, or they had more to say, but couldn't put their thoughts together fast enough.
1.) interrupted
Ex: "But you said that if we..."
"I don't care what I said, we're not doing it!"
2.) more words
Ex: But didn't you... Didn't you say... I really want to...to do it, damn it!
* * *
Recently, I wrote a pretty long story. If it had been published, it would have been sixty pages or so (like a novella or longish short story). Alex De Kok (another Lit writer) helped me to understand the use of the above not-named punctuation (Sorry, I don't know the name or I've forgotten it).
It's used at the moment in a storyline when there is a scene change, or perhaps a change of point-of-view. (I think this can apply to poetry as well)
1.) Scene change or POV change
Ex: The lowland grasses swayed gently in the afternoon glow of the sun while horse and rider pondered the future of what the next dawn would bring.
* * *
Mary finished sweeping the porch as the morning breeze changed direction. She looked out toward the distant hills, purple in the morning light, wondering if Peter was closer to returning or closer to beginning.
Now, all of this said, I'm certain that there are more punctuations used for pausing. I'm as equally certain that some of you will add to this post for my idiot assumptions, and to correct or add to what I have posted. When you do, please try to give concise examples, so that we can all learn to be a little bit better at writing what we write.
Punctuated and Pondering.
- Judo
(*- The Pocket is an old name that some of used to describe what the Poets at Literotica are - a Pocket of Poets. You know, like a gaggle of geese, a pride of lions, etc.)
(Edited for spelling - TY, Rybka)
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