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Punctuation for closing quotation marks

June 23, 2009 By Administrator

Have you ever wondered if a quotation mark can have a punctuation mark outside it? Absolutely.

Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, University of Chicago Press, (6.8), says that periods and commas precede closing quotations marks (whether double or single).

However, it says that unlike periods and commas, colons, semicolons, question marks and exclamation points follow the closing quotation marks unless a question mark or an exclamation point belongs within the quoted matter. (6.9)

CMS uses this example:

I was asked to state my “name and serial number”; I have no serial number.

A Writer’s Reference, Fourth Edition, Diana Hacker(Bedford/St. Martin’s)
agrees (P6-f), and gives this example:

Harold wrote, “I regret that I am unable to attend the fundraiser for AIDS
research”; his letter, however, contained a substantial contribution.

There are exceptions, and alternative systems, but for the most part, the above applies to American English.

When is swine flu NOT swine flu? asks Gerry McGovern

May 3, 2009 By Administrator

Gerry McGovern’s blog today discusses language in a riveting post that also addresses the (mainly) online business aspect of today’s language. He says, in part that “search is the greatest laboratory of human behavior that has ever existed.”

McGovern talks about how various global governments are trying to change the name of swine flu, and why it is too late. The issue is important, and I recommend you take time to read his brief but focused thoughts.

He indicates that when words such as “swine flu” go wild on the Web, “you must use those words because otherwise you will not be found. If you are not found then you are not useful. Before you have any chance of shifting the debate, you must first become part of it. Using the wrong words,” says McGovern, “is like ships passing in the night: you are going one way and your customer is going another.

This powerful message on communication provides links that help reinforce his premise.

Deep-sea fish with tubular eyes and transparent head

February 26, 2009 By Administrator

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute recently solved the half-century-old mystery of a fish with tubular eyes and a transparent head. This is the barreleye fish, or Macropinna microstoma.

Amazing article and pictures, accompanied by a cool video.

“A new paper by Bruce Robison and Kim Reisenbichler shows that these unusual eyes can rotate within a transparent shield that covers the fish’s head,” says the site. “This allows the barreleye to peer up at potential prey or focus forward to see what it is eating.”

Why not? Don’t we all like to see what we are eating?