The KellyGram

Wisdom and Wit About the Wonderful and Often Wacky World of Words

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We recently finished editing an 84,000-word manuscript for a client, the most difficult part of which (believe it or not) proved to be making sure the numerous quotation marks (nearly 3,000 of them) were used correctly.

Using quotations marks properly seems like a fairly simple exercise, but it can be very confusing and complicated, so we thought a brief review might be of help.

Most, if not all, book publishers follow the rules/guidelines set forth in The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), which covers, in its 900+ pages and thousands of entries, virtually every aspect of correct writing styles.

Regarding quotation marks alone, the CMS lists more than 40 rules, regulations and guidelines about their proper use. To keep this relatively simple, well cite just three of those rules, which include:

• When to use both opening and closing quote marks;
• When to omit both opening and closing quote marks;
• When to use opening quote marks, but not closing quote marks;
• When to use closing quote marks, but not opening quote marks;
• When to use alternating double and single quote marks.

Rule #10.28 states that: "Material set off from the text as a block quotation is not enclosed in quotation marks. Quoted matter within the block quotation is of course set off with double quotation marks; quotations within those quotations with single quotation marks; and so on..."

Rule #10.29 states: "If a passage consisting of more than one paragraph from the same source is quoted and is not set off as an excerpt, quotation marks are used at the beginning of each paragraph and at the end of the last paragraph. That is, quotation marks are not used at the end of any paragraph in the quotation except the last one"

Rule #10.33 deals with the use of quotation marks where, for example, quoted material is used to open a chapter. When a larger type is used for the first letter of the first word (called a "drop cap"), the quotation mark at the beginning is omitted, but is included at the end of the quoted material.

Ironically, the most common mistakes we see have nothing to do with these rules, but rather with the simplest one of all: when used in conjunction with a period or a comma, the closing quote mark always always is placed outside the other punctuation. Even if the last word before the comma or period is the only one that requires quote marks, that rule still applies. And that means "always." And you may quote me!

If you have any questions about the correct use of quotation marks, please send us an email (bob@kellygram.com) or call us (480-895-7617).

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SHADES OF THE OLD WEST (Sorta)!

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Recently, my wife and I were checking out a resort in the Scottsdale area. Around the lunch hour, we decided to visit one of the restaurants there, called The Hole in the Wall. Entering it was like stepping back in time. There was barn wood siding covered with old farm implements, along with paintings of scenes from the Old West.

The wood floor was covered with peanut shells, and the menu described the "Mouth-waterin Cowpoke Fixins." Shucks, I half expected to see the James Boys, Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok sitting at the bar. The restrooms were labeled, respectively, "Standers" and "Squatters," and it didnt take an advanced degree to figure out which was which.

At one point, I entered the appropriate facility, and thats where my mental journey back to the Old West came to an abrupt halt. If old Jesse or Wyatt or Wild Bill or John Wayne had seen what was hanging right there on the wall, I can just imagine them saying: "What in tarnation is that there contraption?"

Figured it out yet? It was something no cowpoke who wanted to maintain his reputation among the boys down at the corral would ever have been caught using, something youd never have seen on the walls of any outhouse. Yet, there it was on the wall of the "Standers" room a diaper-changing station! The Old West sure aint what it used to be!

(Disclaimer [My wife made me write it]: Nothing above is intended to imply that changing diapers is something a man shouldnt do. But, in keeping with the theme of that place, it seems to me the least they could have done was shape that contraption like a saddle or something.)

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WRITING/EDITING NEEDS? WE CAN HELP!

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• Is this the year youre finally hoping to get your book published, but youd like a little help?
• Could you use an assist with that article youre writing?
• Would it help your business if you published a newsletter or ezine?
• Would you like some great quotations to liven up your speech, article or book?
• Are you looking for ways to put more zing into your marketing materials?
• Do you need someone to proof and/or edit something youve written?

If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, we can help. After all, weve been doing it for more than 25 years for dozens of satisfied clients. We guarantee our work, and we never charge a fee for an initial review or consultation. Call us at (480) 895-7617, or email us at bob@kellygram.com, and let us show you how we can make you look good on paper.

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SMILE AWHILE

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The Computer Swallowed Grandma

The computer swallowed Grandma. Yes, honestly its true.

She pressed "Control" and "Enter," and disappeared from view.

It devoured her completely; the thought just makes me squirm.

She must have caught a virus, or been eaten by a worm.

I've searched through the recycle bin, and files of every kind;

I've even used the Internet, but nothing could I find.

I asked Jeeves, in desperation, my searches to refine.

The reply from him was negative; not a thing was found online.

So, if inside your Inbox, my Grandma you should see,

Please "Copy," "Scan" and "Paste"' her, and send her back to me!

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BACK ISSUES

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Previous issues of The KellyGram are available on our website: www.wordcrafters.info.

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A FINAL WORD

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This has to be one of the best singles ads ever printed. Its reported to have been listed in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. Im a very good looking girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. Ill be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Daisy. I'll be waiting.

More than 15,000 men who called found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane Society about an 8-week-old black Labrador retriever. (Men are so easy.)

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Your comments and questions are always welcome. Please contact us at bob@kellygram.com, or call Bob Kelly at (480) 895-7617.

© 2005 by Bob Kelly. All rights reserved.