Dialogue Alley: Punctuation
Welcome, fellow writers, editors, and language enthusiasts! May is in full gear and you’ll be glad to know that today we are diving into the art of dialogue punctuation.
Maybe you’re smarter than me and know everything there is to know about punctuating dialogue, but some of us have to refer to a guide, okay? Think of this blog post as a reference tool that you can use when you’re writing (or editing).
Whether you are a seasoned wordsmith looking to polish your skills or a newbie eager to learn the basics, this blog post is here to guide you through the ins and outs of punctuating dialogue effectively.
PUNCTUATION WITH DIALOGUE TAGS
Inside the quote, or outside the quote? Comma or full stop?
Dialogue tags, which attribute speech to a specific character, are essential in identifying the speaker. When using dialogue tags, a comma should be placed before or after the quoted speech, depending on whether the tag precedes or follows the dialogue. For example:
‘I love the beach, but I can’t stand the sand,’ she said.
He said, ‘Editing is a crucial part of the writing process.’
ADDING ACTIONS IN BETWEEN SPEECH
Did you know there were actually rules about this?
When following dialogue with actions instead of dialogue tags, speech should be placed in separate sentences and punctuated accordingly.
‘I can’t wait to read your new book.’ She clapped her hands in excitement.
However, if actions fall in the middle of a sentence, a comma should be used to indicate the continuation of the sentence around the action.
‘Contrary to popular belief,’ she interjected, waving a finger in the air, ‘I do actually read quite often, and I can’t wait to read your new book.’
If actions interrupt a sentence, you should end the dialogue and description with an em-dash.
‘I can’t—’ she wiggled in her seat in excitement and let out a squeal— ‘wait to read your new book!’
Finally, if the character is making two un-connected statements, separated by action, you can utilise the appropriate sentence-ending punctuation, similarly to the first example.
‘I can’t wait to read your new book.’ She clapped her hands in excitement. ‘Your last publication was one of my all-time favourites.’
ADDING SPEECH WITHIN SPEECH
‘What do you mean, “Adding speech within speech?”’
I bet you didn’t know there were rules about this! Don’t worry, they’re pretty easy to digest.
There are two ways to do this, and which you use generally depends on whether you’re writing in UK or US English; so if you only ever write in one of these styles, you only need to remember one of these rules.
When writing speech, you have the choice between single (‘) and double (“) quotation marks to denote your dialogue. In the UK, single quotation is used more widely; while in the US, the double quotation is the standard.
If your character is directly quoting—not paraphrasing—something that someone else has said within their bubble of speech; indicating it is as easy as using whichever quotation mark isn’t the national standard.
Maybe that’s a confusing explanation… I’ll give you an example of each.
UK English
‘As Stephen King once said, “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” So, don’t worry.’
US English
“As Stephen King once said, ‘The scariest moment is always just before you start.’ So, don’t worry.”
Did you catch the difference? It isn’t easy to spot it right away.
By following these rules regarding dialogue tags, incorporating actions, and correctly placing punctuation marks, writers can effectively bring conversations to life on the page. Remember, accurate punctuation in dialogue not only enhances the readability of your writing but also creates a more engaging experience for your audience.
I’ll see you next week for some cheeky tips and tricks that I personally use to make the process of writing anything just that little bit easier. Until then:
Keep practising, keep learning, and most importantly, keep writing!
