 Short Stories: March 13, 2024 Issue [#12455] |
This week: Punctuating Dialogue Correctly Edited by: JACE  
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Hi, I'm JACE , your guest editor of this issue of the Short Stories newsletter.
Toss me a note about what you liked or didn't like in my column, or about a topic you'd like to see discussed. This newsletter is for all writers. I hope you'll find something you can take from my ramblings.  |
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I recently retired from a vocation I thoroughly enjoyed for more than 30 years. While my passions for writing and reviewing remained high, the practical time to pursue those passions was greatly reduced.
I've re-embraced my enthusiasm for reviewing averaging just over two reviews each day for the past four months. A fair number of those more than 270 reviews contained dialogue. It appears to me that writing properly punctuated dialogue is a problem for many.
So, let's discuss the actual mechanics of punctuation. How you use dialogue to move your story along is a subject for another day.
1. Use double quotation marks for dialogue.
In America, we use double quotation marks (" ") to signify spoken dialogue. Use single quotation marks (' ') in British or Commonwealth English writing.
2. Place punctuation inside the quotation marks.
Always place a period, or a question mark, or an exclamation point inside the end quotation marks when completing a spoken sentence.
"I must go prepare for the race."
"Must I do everything around here?"
If using a dialogue attribution, such as he said or she said, place the comma, or a question mark, or an exclamation point inside the end quotation marks before the attribution. Place a period after the attribution to complete the sentence.
"Tell me everything!" he commanded.
If the attribution begins the dialogue, place a comma after the attribution and before the opening quotation marks. Apply proper punctuation at the end of the dialogue.
She asked, "What is there to say?"
As is often the case in writing, there is an exception. Place a period inside the end quotation marks when quoting sayings or citing a story title.
My favorite Christmas story is "The Gift of the Magi".
3. Start a new paragraph each time the focus changes from one speaker to another.
This is a fundamental rule not only for organizing dialogue, but also for making it easier for readers to follow what’s happening. New paragraphs are required even if dialogue tags are used.
4. Use dashes and ellipses to cut sentences off.
All the previous examples were of characters speaking in full sentences. What happens when the character speaking is interrupted or pauses while speaking? You use an em-dash (—) to denote an interruption, or an ellipsis (...) to denote a pause.
An interruption:
"Savannah, please tell me what’s going—"
"There’s no use talking!" she barked.
A pause:
Savannah checked each of her pockets. "I swear I had my keys ..."
5. Use single quotation marks for quotes within dialogue.
"What did Savannah say to you?" I asked.
"She told me, 'I got a surprise for you,' and then she left. Strange, huh?"
6. For longer dialogue by one speaker, use end quotes only on the final paragraph.
"Would you like to hear my plan?" the professor said, lighting his oak pipe with a match. "The first stage involves undermining the dean's credibility.
"Stage two involves the board of trustees, with whom I've been ingratiating myself for the past two semesters."
* * * * *
With these techniques, you'll be writing dialogue that is easy to follow and fun to read. Dialogue provides diversity in your writing, something most readers find appealing.
Consider using dialogue in your next story. Dialogue can be an essential part of a story; use it to move your storyline forward. Don't be afraid to let your characters speak. Better yet, write something for "The Dialogue 500" .
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In keeping with today's topic, take a moment to check out the dialogue in these stories. Drop them a review.
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