Comments on: How to Use Proper Punctuation When Writing Dialogue

By: TeacherWriter

TeacherWriter — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:14:03 +0000

If it’s a term of endearment or a social nickname, do not capitalize it. Only capitalize proper nouns and proper names. For example,

“Could you pass me the butter, honey?” could mean the speaker is talking to any person. It could be a husband, child, or other person.

“Could you pass me the butter, Honey?” means the speaker is addressing a person whose name is Honey.

Does that help?

By: newenglandauthor

newenglandauthor — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:10:07 +0000

When referring to a character as Honey, instead of their proper name, should Honey/honey be capitalized? I’ve had advice both ways – still confused. I’ve been using the suggestion that when replacing a proper name with a nickname, capitalize. What do you think/know?

By: TeacherWriter

TeacherWriter — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:51:50 +0000

You’re welcome. Thanks for coming by!

By: CLAUDIA

CLAUDIA — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:38:13 +0000

Very helpful! Thank you!

By: TeacherWriter

TeacherWriter — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:10:17 +0000

You’re very welcome.Those pesky mistakes do seem to find a way to edge into our writing, don’t they?

By: liberalcynic

liberalcynic — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:16:38 +0000

Thanks for writing this blog. I furiously edit whatever I write, and some rules and regulations for grammar are welcome. Still, no matter how ruthless I am, some mistakes always escape me!

By: TeacherWriter

TeacherWriter — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:37:54 +0000

Hi Sylvia,

The question mark goes inside the quotation marks just as you typed it. The reason is, you’re punctuating the words that come out of Jerry’s mouth. We’re not asking the question, Jerry asked? someone else is asking Jerry to meet on Tuesday. Remember, in dialogue, punctuate the spoken words.

Thanks for the question. It was a good one!

By: Sylvia Mock

Sylvia Mock — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:06:41 +0000

Could I switch this to a question mark with dialogue?
Example: “Could you meet us Tuesday morning?” Jerry asked.
Does the question mark go at the end of the question, or after Jerry asked?
Thank you!
Sylvia M.

By: TeacherWriter

TeacherWriter — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:32:55 +0000

At the risk of getting in the middle of a grammarian argument, I have to say that I agree with you, Ernest. In your example, Jerry is speaking about someone coming in to work and bringing the truck when he or she returns. That should be in one paragraph, as it’s all really one topic, coming to work after a flood. Paragraphs should indicate a change of topic, as you said.

I also tend to break up monologues with character action, as you do, for the same reason. It adds clarity. Many modern readers are intimidated by long blocks of text, and this practice addresses that problem. You can also add emotional resonance by inserting actions and reactions into long blocks of dialogue.

By: Ernest Bywater

Ernest Bywater — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:24:55 +0000

G’day,

OK, I can see this with a long monologue type dialogue, but what’s bugging me at the moment is where authors do this with short one sentence dialogues. In examples I’ve seen in recent amateur author work they start a new paragraph if the subject being spoken of changes – here’s an example:

Jerry said, “Of course you come in and work next week. The flood is over.

“Your holidays are still OK to go.

“Make sure you bring the truck from Steve’s when you come in Tuesday.”
………

The authors claim this is correct due to that leave the closing quote thing off. I was taught this should be:

Jerry said, “Of course you come in and work next week. The flood is over. Your holidays are still OK to go. Make sure you bring the truck from Steve’s when you come in Tuesday.”
……..

I was taught you change paragraphs when you change focus of the paragraph, i.e. the subject, but in this case the focus / subject is on Jerry speaking not on what he’s speaking about. Yet the authors doing the above claim it’s the subject he’s talking about.

Can you clarify this usage above, please?
…………..

On a another note, I break up monologues into separate paragraphs by inserting actions at appropriate points, so you get things like:

“… that’s the database structure.” He stops for a drink of water.

Looking out over the class, he continues, “Now for the interface design, you …”

I find it makes it very clear what’s going on.

Regards,

Ernest