Writing Quotes and Speech

When it comes to writing quotes and speech many writers get confused about the use of quotation marks and the placement of closing punctuation.

What makes things even more confusing is that these same elements are used differently in different countries.

Quotation marks are mostly used to show direct speech and to quote the work of other writers. They are also used for song titles, journal article titles, unpublished document titles, chapter titles of published works, essays, lectures, and to draw attention to certain words (sometimes called scare quotes).

According to the Style manual for authors, editors and printers (6^th edn) single quotation marks are used in Australian government publications, with a push towards this minimalistic use of punctuation to be accepted across the board. Whereas in America, double quotation marks are preferred.

When closing quotations, the decision of where to place the closing punctuation can be a tricky one. If the punctuation mark is part of the quote, keep it inside the quotation mark. If it is not, place it outside the quotation mark.

Though interestingly this is in direct contrast to what is followed in America, with most closing punctuation being place inside the quotation mark.

Example:

‘I do love you’, she replied. (Australian)

“I do love you,” she replied. (American)

Notice the difference in the closing quotation marks, one being before the punctuation and the other being after.

It is not necessary to use quotation marks with indirect speech, to enclose familiar expressions, or when following the expression so called.

Quotations that are more than thirty words long should be indented from the margin and set in a smaller type, and do not require any quotation marks (but remember to cite your source).

If at all possible it is best to follow the required style of the intended publication, as the editor will most likely change all of the punctuation to their house style anyway. But if all else fails and the writer is still confused, just sticking to the style they know best should get them through.

Kristy Taylor is a syndicated freelance journalist with articles and short stories strewn across all forms of media. She has written and published numerous books, and is the executive editor of KT Publishing, which encompasses several web sites. For free listings of short story competitions visit http://www.shortstorycompetitions.com

To contact Kristy, email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights.

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Lay or Lie?

Since the 14^th century people have been getting confused when using lay and lie. Just what is the difference between these two words and why do we always get them mixed up?

To lay or to lie, that is the question (as Shakespeare might say, or ask). One of the main reasons we get these wrong is because we get them confused with their past tense versions.

The past tense of lay is laid, and the past tense of lie is lay—hence the confusion. (Note: never use layed, the correct spelling is laid.)

Remember that lay means ‘to put or place’ and lie means ‘to rest or recline’.

Present tense example:

You lay your book on the desk, and it will lie there until you pick it up again.

Past tense example:

Yesterday he laid his book on the desk, and it lay there until he picked it up.

A handy mnemonic:

Lay is tr(a)nsitive – a verb that takes an object. Ask yourself: lay what down?

Lie is (i)ntransitive – a verb that doesn’t need an object. Tell yourself: it’s already down.

If you’re still having trouble remembering which one to use, try replacing lay/lie with the word ‘place’. If the sentence sounds right with the word ‘place’ then you need to use lay, if not, use lie.

Kristy Taylor is a syndicated freelance journalist with articles and short stories strewn across all forms of media. She has written and published numerous books, and is the executive editor of KT Publishing, which encompasses several web sites. For free listings of short story competitions visit http://www.shortstorycompetitions.com

To contact Kristy, email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights.

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There, Their or They’re?

There is a place or location (whether real or theoretical).

Their is the possessive form of them/they.

They’re is a contraction of they are.

See how easy that was, yet so many people still get these words mixed up. And these three little words sound exactly the same, which is part of the problem.

Now let’s look at them in some sentences so we can see why they are different:

• He left his books over there.
• Their ice-creams melted in the hot sun.
• They’re going to be late if they don’t hurry up.

Here are a few little tricks you can try that should help you to remember the differences:

• If you can replace there with here, then you need to use there.
• If you can replace their with his, our or my, then you need to use their.
• If you can replace they’re with they are, then you need to use they’re.

The example below shows all three words used in one sentence:

Their dog threw up in the garden over there where they’re about to plant some tomatoes.

In most cases if you have ruled out their and they’re you probably need there.

Kristy Taylor is a syndicated freelance journalist with articles and short stories strewn across all forms of media. She has written and published numerous books, and is the executive editor of KT Publishing, which encompasses several web sites. For free listings of short story competitions visit http://www.shortstorycompetitions.com

To contact Kristy, email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights.

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Are You Using Transitions?

Transitions are words or phrases that help make connections between sentences and paragraphs. In many cases sentences and paragraphs can stand on their own, but to help the reader flow through the material without stumbling, transitions are usually needed.

By linking sentences and paragraphs together smoothly, the reader is not distracted by jumps or breaks in ideas or scenes. Sometimes the writer is just too close to the material to see that these cues are missing.

Repeating keywords can help. Pick up a keyword from the previous sentence or paragraph. Doing this can help to sew sentences or paragraphs together.

Another way of doing this without being too wordy is to use short phrases that recall the previous sentence:

“This is why we must…”

“Because of this…”

“This is a problem because…”

You can also choose to use specific transitional words or phrases:

Addition Transitions (adding to a point): along with, also, as well as, but also, furthermore, in addition to, moreover, not only, on top of this

Comparison Transitions (similar things) comparatively, identical, likewise, similarly

Concluding Transitions (to end a section): finally, for these reasons, in conclusion, in short, on the whole, therefore, thus, to sum up

Contrast Transitions (to highlight opposition): although, but, conversely, despite this, however, in contrast, nonetheless, on the other hand, still, whereas, yet

Example Transitions (when giving evidence): for example, for instance, in fact, to illustrate, specifically, that is

Place Marker Transitions (to move the reader from point to point): above, adjacent to, below, beyond, finally, lastly, next, second

Time Transitions: after, afterwards, before, during, formerly, meanwhile, now, prior, soon, subsequently, then

More importantly, transitions should be invisible, just like punctuation. They should not draw attention to themselves; instead they should draw the reader along with the story/article/etc…

Transitions should flow naturally and connect each sentence or paragraph effectively so as to present your writing as a complete whole.

Kristy Taylor is a syndicated freelance journalist with articles and short stories strewn across all forms of media. She has written and published numerous books, and is the executive editor of KT Publishing, which encompasses several web sites. For free listings of short story competitions visit http://www.shortstorycompetitions.com

To contact Kristy, email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights.

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Top Writing Books

Below are some of the top books on writing available at Amazon.com. They should help you to not only brush up on your writing skills, but also brush up on your grammar.

The following books are listed in no particular order. If you normally buy from a different Amazon site (e.g. Amazon.co.uk) or other on-line store, simply copy and paste the ISBN (e.g. 097522980X) into the site search box.

The Elements of Style, William Strunk (http://amazon.com/dp/097522980X)

On Writing, Stephen King (http://amazon.com/dp/0671024256)

On Writing Well, William Zinsser (http://amazon.com/dp/0060891548)

Grammar Girls Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, Mignon Fogarty (http://amazon.com/dp/0805088318)

100 Ways to Improve Your Writing, Gary Provost http://amazon.com/dp/0451627210

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, Anne Lamott (http://amazon.com/dp/0385480016)

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, Natalie Goldberg (http://amazon.com/dp/1590302613)

Eats, Shoots & Leaves, Lynne Truss (http://amazon.com/dp/1592402038)

Grammatically Correct, Anne Stilman (http://amazon.com/dp/1582973318)

Line by Line: How to Edit Your Own Writing, Claire Kehrwald Cook (http://amazon.com/dp/0395393914)

The Well-Fed Writer, Peter Bowerman (http://amazon.com/dp/0967059844)

The Well-Fed Writer: Back for Seconds, Peter Bowerman (http://amazon.com/dp/0967059852)

Techniques of the Selling Writer, Dwight V. Swain (http://amazon.com/dp/0806111917)

Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer, Jenna Glatzer (http://amazon.com/dp/097220265X)

The Book on Writing, Paula LaRocque (http://amazon.com/dp/0966517695)

This is by no means an exhaustive list but one that may lead you in the right direction with your writing. So why not grab yourself a few early Christmas presents.

Kristy Taylor is a syndicated freelance journalist with articles and short stories strewn across all forms of media. She has written and published numerous books, and is the executive editor of KT Publishing, which encompasses several web sites. For free listings of short story competitions visit http://www.shortstorycompetitions.com

To contact Kristy, email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights.

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When To Use Capital Letters

Sometimes it’s hard to know when to capitalise the first letter of a word and when not to capitalise the first letter of a word. Luckily there are some basic rules to follow that make it a lot easier to get this area of grammar right. If you can learn these rules and follow these rules, you should be on the right track.

Always use capital letters for:

• Proper nouns – names of people, pets, towns, states, countries, streets, suburbs, rivers and mountains;
• Salutations – Mr, Mrs, Dr, etc…;
• The pronoun I;
• The first word of a sentence;
• Days of the week, months of the year and specific periods of history;
• Names of languages, nationalities, denominations, religions, churches, holy days, festivals, schools and firms;
• Titles of books, poems, plays, films, songs, magazines, newspapers (use a capital for the first word and any significant words, but not minor words like the, of, and, in);
• Titles of brands, restaurants and ships;
• The first word of direct speech;

These rules cover most situations when a capital should be used, but there are more. A general rule of thumb to follow is: a generic word isn’t capitalised and a specific word is capitalised.

Kristy Taylor is a syndicated freelance journalist with articles and short stories strewn across all forms of media. She has written and published numerous books, and is the executive editor of KT Publishing, which encompasses several web sites. For free listings of short story competitions visit http://www.shortstorycompetitions.com

To contact Kristy, email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights.

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Homophones – I hear ya!

Do homophones get you all confused and flustered? Do you know what you want to say, but don’t know which is the correct word to use?

Homophones are words that sound the same but are vastly different in meaning. And sometimes they even look the same until you realise there is only a one or two letter difference between each set of homophones.

Below is a list of the most common homophones, but this list is by no means complete:

accept, except

affect, effect

aloud, allowed

altar, alter

ate, eight

banned, band

bare, bear

bridle, bridal

brake, break

cell, sell

cents, sense

capital, capitol

deer, dear

die, dye

discreet, discrete

doe, dough

for, four, fore

forth, fourth

hear, here

hole, whole

its, it’s

led, lead, lede

lie, lye

pair, pear

passed, past

peal, peel

peek, peak, pique

need, knead

night, knight

rain, rein, reign

rapt, wrapped

right, rite, write, wright

seam, seem

sheer, shear

sheik, chic

stationery, stationary

tents, tense

their, they’re, there

toe, tow

too, to, two

wait, weight

wanton, wonton

weather, whether

your, you’re

If you are unsure about which word to use pop over to www.dictionary.com and do a quick search on your two (or three) variations and select the correct word. It is important to choose the correct word otherwise your reader could become confused.

For two near-complete lists of homophones visit:

http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/writing/homofone.htm

http://www.taupecat.com/personal/homophones

To recap: a homophone is two or more words that are pronounced the same but are different in meaning or spelling.

Kristy Taylor is a syndicated freelance journalist with articles and short stories strewn across all forms of media. She has written and published numerous books, and is the executive editor of KT Publishing, which encompasses several web sites. For free listings of short story competitions visit http://www.shortstorycompetitions.com

To contact Kristy, email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights.

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Do Possessive Pronouns Take Apostrophes?

A pronoun is a part of speech which stands in for a noun so the noun does not have to be repeated unnecessarily. A possessive pronoun shows ownership.

The pronouns below already show possession, that’s easy enough to see, but should you also add an apostrophe?

Normally when you want to show possession, you use an apostrophe. Example: This is Jenny’s book. (The book belongs to Jenny.)

But if you were talking to Jenny and said to her: This book is yours, should you add an apostrophe to the pronoun yours?

No, because the word yours already indicates that the item belongs to Jenny. It is a possessive pronoun.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most common possessive pronouns:

• my
• mine
• yours
• ours
• its
• his
• hers
• whose
• theirs

One possessive pronoun that usually confuses writers is its.

Sometimes we see this written as it’s, which is incorrect. It’s is a contraction meaning it is or it has. Its, without the apostrophe, only shows possession.

Kristy Taylor is a syndicated freelance journalist with articles and short stories strewn across all forms of media. She has written and published numerous books, and is the executive editor of KT Publishing, which encompasses several web sites. For free listings of short story competitions visit http://www.shortstorycompetitions.com

To contact Kristy, email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights.

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8 Pronoun Types

Do you really need to know the different types of pronouns in order to write well? Probably not, but you should at least be aware of them.

We use pronouns to stand in for nouns in parts of speech so the nouns don’t have to be repeated needlessly. But eight different types of pronouns? Let’s take a look at them.

• Demonstrative pronouns can also be adjectives – this, that, these, those.
• Interrogative pronouns introduce questions – who, whom, whose, which, what.
• Personal pronouns refer to people or things – I, me, my, mine, you, your, yours, he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its, we, us, our, ours, they, them, their, theirs.
• Possessive pronouns show ownership and are a special type of personal pronoun – mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs.
• Quantifier pronouns show number or quantity – each, either, neither, none, some, all, any, few, both, everyone, everybody, nobody, nothing, anything.
• Reciprocal pronouns show actions performed mutually – each other, one another.
• Reflexive pronouns are used after a preposition and refer to the subject – myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.
• Relative pronouns introduce clauses – who, whom, whose, that, which.

But wait, there’s more (as they say). Let’s throw a ninth pronoun into the mix – the intensifier pronoun. This pronoun takes the same form as the reflexive pronoun but it emphasises a previous pronoun or noun. There are also other variations of pronouns, but we’ll save discussing those for later.

Pronouns can act as subjects, subject complements, direct objects, indirect objects and objects of prepositions. And remember, pronouns must match the gender that they are standing in for. Example: John wanted his coffee black.

So do you think you’ll remember all of that? Not likely, but don’t let that stop you from writing.

Kristy Taylor is a syndicated freelance journalist with articles and short stories strewn across all forms of media. She has written and published numerous books, and is the executive editor of KT Publishing, which encompasses several web sites. For free listings of short story competitions visit http://www.shortstorycompetitions.com

To contact Kristy, email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This piece may NOT be freely reprinted. Please contact editor @ howtotellagreatstory.com for reprint rights.

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