1. Grumps

    Grumps New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    1

    Punctuation of multiple paragraph speech

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Grumps, Jul 2, 2008.

    Hello
    When a speech covers multiple paragraphs, is it usual to only have the closing quotation mark at the end of the last paragraph?
     
  2. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    In a word, yes. I've actually covered this and other diaogue punctuation issues in one of my blog entries, He said, she said - Mechanics of Dialogue.
     
  3. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 1, 2008
    Messages:
    23,826
    Likes Received:
    20,815
    Location:
    El Tembloroso Caribe
    Yes, the way I understand it, that is correct. I believe that if there are multiple paragraphs, then each paragraph should having an opening quote, but yes, the closing quote only on the last.
     
  4. Grumps

    Grumps New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    1
    That's the way I was tought at school too. Opening quotes at the start of each para, closing quotes at the end of the last.
    But is this the way it's done now?
     
  5. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    There are two separate standards in the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition. One is the "block quote", which is an indented block without any quotation marks at all (11.35). The CMS says that is the preferred approach, but I think that is primarily in a nonfiction context.

    However, the ordinary quoting method used in manuscripts is the "run in" quotation, and that uses a quotation mark at the beginning of each paragraph, but only at the end of the last paragraph (11.36).
     
  6. SonnehLee

    SonnehLee Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2008
    Messages:
    6,112
    Likes Received:
    55
    Location:
    Far away from home
    What if there are quotes inside the big quote? Like your character is telling a story.
     
  7. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    then you have to use the 'single quotation mark'... like this:

     
  8. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    All that is in my blog entry referenced above :)

    (shameless plug)
     
  9. Grumps

    Grumps New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    1
    Cogito, in your blog you have the following;
    Should the last para be;
     
    1 person likes this.
  10. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    Ackkkk! You are correct. I even say that in the paragraph preceding it. :redface:

    Thank you for spotting that. I've fixed it now.
     
  11. ugu

    ugu New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2008
    Messages:
    42
    Likes Received:
    0
    That's so annoying, though. I'm very systematic and it drives me crazy to have each paragraph starts with a quotation mark and not end with the expected closing quotation mark.

    I used to rebel and put a closing quotation mark at the end of every paragraph anyway, but my English teacher kept marking it off. She thought I was a slow learner.
     
  12. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    ditto that!... if i made the rules...................................
     
  13. Sandwich

    Sandwich New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2009
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Other languages

    Hiya. ;) [/Prerequisite first-post introductory greeting]

    And pardon the bump. :)

    Does anyone 'round these parts happen to know what the multi-paragraph quotation conventions are for other languages? Wikipedia only mentions the convention for Spanish in addition to English. Specifically, I'm looking for German/Deutsch, Dutch, Norwegian, and Swedish.

    Thanks in advance!
     
  14. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    sorry, no clue!

    why don't you just google for some professional writings in those languages and see how it's done?
     
  15. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    You should still post in New Member Introductions.
    I would check the Chicago Manual of Style for startere. Although English-centric, it does provide a number of writing standards for foreign languages.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice