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Using Quotation Marks - A Challenge for Everyone (For Fun)

July 03, 2012 07:47PM
cynb Wrote:
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> walesmaven Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > cynb,
> > There are tons of shops where direct quotes are
> > required or the report will not be accepted.
>
>
> OK I was not aware of this. In 7 years, I have
> not seen this but if I do I will make every effort
> to use quotation marks properly. I have no
> problem with that. I was just suggesting that if
> it it not required better to use other language.

I agree that paraphrasing instead of quoting is usually better, except in the rare exception when MSCs want quotes, such as greetings, upselling, etc.

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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July 03, 2012 08:24PM
Bena Wrote:
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> I also have a problem with commas and run-on
> sentences especially knowing where a comma goes
> and where it doesn't and even if the sentence
> might qualify for a semi-colon if I should
> actually use on so I think it would be a good
> topic for the next installment of our grammar
> class as the last time I had grammar lessons was
> in elementary school as we were expected to be
> able to write a decent sentence by the end of
> Grade 6.

Good example. Here is your post as it should look:

I also have a problem with commas and run-on sentences, especially knowing where a comma goes and where it doesn't. I need to know if the sentence might qualify for a semi-colon and whether I should actually use one. I think it would be a good topic for the next installment of our grammar class because the last time I had grammar lessons was in elementary school, where we were expected to be able to write a decent sentence by the end of grade 6.

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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July 03, 2012 08:40PM
LisaSTL Wrote:
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> I try to use good grammar and punctuation even
> when I'm posting. It is good practice. But yes,
> run on sentences can be a weakness of mine. If I'm
> not being a hot head I will check and edit posts
> before hitting submitsmiling smiley

Some of us are very grateful!

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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July 03, 2012 08:49PM
LisaSTL Wrote:
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> Are you saying it would also be appropriate to use
> them as two separate sentences or to use "and" in
> place of the semicolon (or is it semi-colon)? That
> I getwinking smiley


1. Yep
2. Semi-colon

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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July 03, 2012 08:49PM
r@inyDayZ3 Wrote:
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> Lisa, to put it into a survey:
>
> The associate greeted me with a smile and hello;
> however, she stayed behind the counter speaking
> with another employee.
>
> There! *Silly grin* I got my semicolon AND comma
> in the same sentence! LMBO!


And you did it correctly!

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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July 04, 2012 04:34AM
I would dispute the sentence as rainyDay wrote it. I think having the semi-colon and the 'however' back to back is wrong. The 'however' joins both halves and so the semi-colon is not needed nor appropriate.
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July 06, 2012 08:22PM
r@inyDayZ3 used it correctly.

That is the preferred way of using "however."

BTW, single quotes are used only for a quote within a quote. Double quotes are used for everything else.

Example: Kim complained, "I said, 'Sue, you can't go now,' but she went anyway."

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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July 06, 2012 08:23PM
cynb Wrote:
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> shume: Oh look a colon! Would I be right in
> thinking to stick to common punctuation in our
> reports i.e, commas when needed, periods and
> correct capitalization rather than inputing colons
> and semicolons? I assume editors are looking for
> clarity and not intricate punctuation.

Yes, simple is good unless every sentence looks the same. (The table was dirty. It had food on it. It had crumbs on it.)

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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July 06, 2012 08:24PM
Bena Wrote:
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> This column has prompted me to write to one of my
> editors. I would like to know whether I write
> according to what they are looking for, or not.
> It would be great if she came back and said my
> narratives are too long and she always has to cut
> them down.
>
> No matter what reply I get back, it will be nice
> to know. I never hear from them unless I've
> messed up something.


It is actually not great when editors need to delete excessive information. Please try to be succint. We thank you.

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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July 06, 2012 10:15PM
Jamiesan, you seem to be providing a lot of advice based on the way your company prefers reports. It would be nice to know which company that might be since you have not identified them. While you may want more succinct narrative, many companies have minimum character counts which can only be met by including details, details, details.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
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July 09, 2012 08:37PM
The quotation marks are a challenge, I admit. Has anyone else had an issue with different editors and a.m., am, A.M., AM designations? I try to write with good business rules, and it seems that there are many differing opinions on the use of a.m. and p.m.. I have had reports returned that had punctuation and were lower case, saying that upper case punctuated was correct. I have also had reports returned with lower case punctuation; saying upper case no punctuation was correct, and I had one returned, I am sure it was the same company that said upper case no punctuation was correct, telling me that lower case no punctuation was correct.
Also there seems to be a differing opinion on whether or not there should be a space between the number and the a.m. or p.m., some say yes, and some say no.
Has anyone else experienced this?
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November 03, 2012 07:59AM
Dpatchie, yes, different MSPs will want different designations: am, AM, a.m., A.M. Do the best you can, and don't sweat it.

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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November 03, 2012 06:27PM
LisaSTL Wrote:
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>While you may want more succinct narrative, many companies have
> minimum character counts which can only be met by
> including details, details, details.


Providing a lot of detail can, and should, still be written succinctly.

In an uneventful shop, I can see where brevity would prevent meeting the minimum character count. (Good shoppers like you, however, would be able to find enough to fill said count.)

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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November 03, 2012 06:33PM
Jamiesan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LisaSTL Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> Are you saying it would also be appropriate to
> use them as two separate sentences or to use "and"
> in place of the semicolon (or is it semi-colon)?
> That I getwinking smiley
>
>
> 1. Yep
> 2. Semi-colon

I was wrong. It is properly written without a hyphen: semicolon.

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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