Quotation Marks

[Boxlicker101]

Generally speaking, I know how to use " and " but I do have a question.

When quoting a long statement, when do you insert them? I believe you have an open quotation mark in front of the first word of the quoted part and in front of the first word of subsequent paragraphs, and just one closed quote, which comes at the end of the passage. Or, do you have closed marks at the end of each paragraph? I looked in the writing suggestions that are connected to the home page, but they don't address this specific question.

 

[sr71plt]

Generally speaking, I know how to use " and " but I do have a question.

When quoting a long statement, when do you insert them? I believe you have an open quotation mark in front of the first word of the quoted part and in front of the first word of subsequent paragraphs, and just one closed quote, which comes at the end of the passage. Or, do you have closed marks at the end of each paragraph? I looked in the writing suggestions that are connected to the home page, but they don't address this specific question.

Open quote marks on each paragraph and closed quote marks only at the end of the last paragraph (Chicago Manual of Style, 11.36)

 

[oggbashan]

I would open quotation marks at the start of the first paragraph and close them at the end of the last paragraph, or...

...don't use any quotation marks put the whole quotation in italics or a different font or font size.

Like this:

The Licensing Act 2003 ushered in a new licensing system where a broad range of activities, previously authorised under different regimes, came together in one piece of legislation. It also brought with it the ability for particular people (identified as Interested Parties – those that live or work in the vicinity of the premises or those that represent them) or organisations (Responsible Authorities, e.g. Police, fire, Environmental Protection, Planning) to scrutinise and, within specific parameters, make representations on the operation or intended operation of Licensed Premises. This includes the ability to call for the Review of a Premises Licence, with the final potential sanction being the loss of its Licence and the closure of the business.

An issue of particular concern that has come to the fore relates to the gathering of evidence and its presentation at Licensing Hearings. It has been suggested that it would be helpful for all (Premises Licence Holders, Interested Parties and Responsible Authorities) if, in the light of experience and recent Case Law, some advice could be given on these issues.

For this reason we are intending to hold an information and advice seminar entitled, “Evidence Gathering and Presentation at Licensing Hearings”.

That gets around the problem of your quote containing a quote.

Og

 

[Boxlicker101]

Thanks, you guys. That's pretty much what I thought, Pilot, and I had tentatively written it that way.

Using a different font, especially italics, works okay here or in an email, when I know it'll go the way I write it, but I am reluctant to submit a story using that method. They have gotten screwed up in the past, and I don't like to have to go back and correct them. That doesn't happen very often, but it's often enough that I don't want to risk having to submit an edited version.

 

[sr71plt]

Is that how it's done in the British system, Ogg? Not in the U.S. system (as I cited).

A U.S. publisher wouldn't put it in a different font (or italics). They'd extract it (indent the whole passage as long as it was over eight lines) and not use quotations marks. Lit., of course, won't permit indenting.

 

[Belegon]

Open quote marks on each paragraph and closed quote marks only at the end of the last paragraph (Chicago Manual of Style, 11.36)

This is the way both publishers I edit for want it handled also. But then, Chicago style seems pretty standard in the epubs...

 

[oggbashan]

Is that how it's done in the British system, Ogg? Not in the U.S. system (as I cited).

A U.S. publisher wouldn't put it in a different font (or italics). They'd extract it (indent the whole passage as long as it was over eight lines) and not use quotations marks. Lit., of course, won't permit indenting.

The first way I stated (quotes at the start of the first paragraph and no more quotes until the end of the last paragraph) seems to be normal British practice.

Extracting it is also used, but I don't think there is a standard UK method, only a publisher's house style.

Og