Punctuation in Stories

[ElectricBlue]

From complaints I've seen from non-U.S. authors here, I think the biggest hurdle for a non-U.S. English speaker is getting it past the U.S.-speaking editor. Sometimes what looks like too many spelling errors to one not being aware of the differences in English English (or Indian English) and American English spellings seems to be leading to rejection of something that was just fine in the speaker's form of English.

I've been submitting Australian English right from my beginning here, and never once had a query from Laurel as to spelling, grammar or punctuation. A couple of times she's asked if there was a blog cross-reference (a reference to Tumblr but no link) and one copyright thing relating to an inserted poem - ie: fair editorial queries, not related to country of origin.

From what I see, from examples posted from time to time, it's more poor copy, sloppy editing, and poor grammar in the first place - which isn't so much geography, more, "tries hard, but should pay more attention in class."

 

[sr71plt]

^Thanks! I think I understand, at least in theory. I probably should look into what parts of a sentence are "grammatically essential." I thought a verb and a subject were all that's needed to complete a sentence, from a grammatical perspective. But I guess there's more to it.


ETA:

So, it would be:

Brunhilde said, "No way, Jose!"​

but also:

Brunhilde cried out: "No way, Jose!"​

because "Brunhilde cried out" can definitely stand alone, right?

The Chicago Manual of Style doesn't support the use of a colon in that way (see 6.59 - 6.65) and that use is likely to be intrusive for readers.

 

[SimonDoom]

^Thanks! I think I understand, at least in theory. I probably should look into what parts of a sentence are "grammatically essential." I thought a verb and a subject were all that's needed to complete a sentence, from a grammatical perspective. But I guess there's more to it.


ETA:

So, it would be:

Brunhilde said, "No way, Jose!"​

but also:

Brunhilde cried out: "No way, Jose!"​

because "Brunhilde cried out" can definitely stand alone, right?

I don't have access to the Chicago Manual at the moment but I think Pilot is right. The better choice in this case is the comma, because "cried out" clearly leads into the quote in the same way that the word "said" does.

There are three generally recognized grammatical uses for the colon: preceding a list, joining two independent clauses where the second explains or illustrates the first, and joining an independent clause with a word, phrase, or clause that provides emphasis.

So, for a quotation, I think it would be OK to use a colon where the quote functions as an explanation or illustration of the first clause. Here's an example:

She turned to me and said something very strange: "I haven't seen any pandas smoking today."

You also could separate the two clauses with a period, but I think a colon would be appropriate because the quote illustrates the first clause. A comma would not be appropriate in this case, although it would be if you eliminated "something very strange."

 

[sr71plt]

She turned to me and said something very strange: "I haven't seen any pandas smoking today."

I would use a period rather than a colon in this case too. Whether or not it's technically correct to use a colon (it is), it also is technically correct, and more standard, to use a period. The colon would be intrusive for some readers; the period shouldn't be. I suppose if you want to be dramatic and want your reader to stop in his/her tracks at this point and for this phrasing, it might be a good choice. But if it's not important that you take the risk of kicking your reader out of the read at that point, it's best not to use it.

 

[JoanMunn]

Chicago Manual of style gives explanation here http://www.resumeperk.com/blog/category/how-to/page/4