October 27, 2005: Issue 111
When attribution comes before a quote, use a comma to introduce a single sentence and a colon to introduce multiple sentences.
correct: Chris says, “Breakfast is a treat with the sunlight streaming in.”
correct: Chris says: “Breakfast is a treat with the sunlight streaming in. Even on the coldest mornings, our breakfast nook is bright and cheery. No one wants to leave the table.”
When your quote consists of more than one sentence, try to avoid waiting until the end for attribution.
acceptable: “Breakfast is a treat with the sunlight streaming in. Even on the coldest mornings, our breakfast nook is bright and cheery. No one wants to leave the table,” Chris says.
preferred: “Breakfast is a treat with the sunlight streaming in,” Chris says. “Even on the coldest mornings, our breakfast nook is bright and cheery. No one wants to leave the table.”
In attribution, the source comes before “says” unless a long string of identifying information makes that construction awkward.
incorrect: “This was a woodworker’s dream job,” says carpenter Joan Cobb.
correct: “This was a woodworker’s dream job,” carpenter Joan Cobb says.
correct: “This was a woodworker’s dream job,” says carpenter Joan Cobb, who stopped work on her own home to take on this project.
More on attributing quotes next week.
INDESIGN TIP:To set smart quotes (the curly quotation marks) as your default, go to the InDesign pulldown menu and select Preferences, then Type. Check the box next to “Use typographer’s quotes.”
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