Everyone has a thing that they prefer not to do, or see, or use, or hear.
Either, but it depends on who or what is doing the impressing
“I’ll be fine in the sun.” ~Dash
RED LEAF WORD SERVICES
Editing and proofreading for authors of plant-themed fiction and nonfiction.
Editing for authors of speculative fiction with complex worlds and large casts.
Blog Post
Can't We All Just Get Along? part 2
Aime Sund • March 23, 2023
Confusing punctuation in dialogue
The second point about confusing punctuation in dialogue concerns the equally helpful semicolon. Though, it's not so helpful in this situation.
A common mantra in grammar circles is that comma splices, joining two complete sentences with a comma, are frowned upon. Using a semicolon or breaking the spliced sentence into two are the remedies typically employed.
What about in dialogue? People connect sentences all the time when they speak. Comma splices feel natural, comfortable even.
But semicolons in dialogue? Have you seen them? Do they make you cringe?
Yeah, me too, kind of. I say 'kind of' because I've used them there before, according to the sentence and to signify a longer pause to the reader than a comma splice would suggest when a full stop was inaccurate. But it felt weird.
Thankfully, in her newly published The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction, Amy J. Schneider advocates for steting comma splices in dialogue as the more natural expression of speech. 👍 I'm on board with that!
It may seem logical that this would be the case, but the urge to fix the comma splice can be strong in those steeped in grammar and style guides. Having a source that says, "No need to fix this here, it works," is always reassuring.
However, do think about this one when you write and edit. I listen to the rhythm of words and pauses because I actually read aloud a lot when I edit and when I read for pleasure. I'd like to narrate audiobooks at some point, and punctuation is key to visually cluing a reader in to how the sentence flows. Narrators often will doctor the text prior to recording to give themselves cues about tone, mood, and emotion in a passage. Seeing a semicolon in dialogue could be important to narration and for those who hear the words in their head even when they read silently (like me).
But I do agree, semicolons in dialogue look odd. Try to avoid this construction as much as possible. Bring on the comma splices! #commasplicesaren'tbad 😂
Don't forget to look out for part 3 of this blog series and let me know if you have any thoughts about these tips. Just hit the 'Mail' button below! 👇
