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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Dialog line vs. quotation marks
Ok, I'm stuck with something. I'm writing a book and I am using the dialog line because I come from a country where that is how we write dialog.
Example:
- Hello, she said.
- Hi, he answered.
Now since I moved into an english talking country I noticed the quotation marks.
"Hello", she said.
"Hi", he answered.
I looked everywhere on web but couldn't find the term "dialog line" in english nor an explanation for both. I wonder if my book will be refused by publishers only because I'm using the dialog line. Does anyone know the difference of usage between continents or something?
Example:
- Hello, she said.
- Hi, he answered.
Now since I moved into an english talking country I noticed the quotation marks.
"Hello", she said.
"Hi", he answered.
I looked everywhere on web but couldn't find the term "dialog line" in english nor an explanation for both. I wonder if my book will be refused by publishers only because I'm using the dialog line. Does anyone know the difference of usage between continents or something?
Top answer
Well if you're still writing, as you imply, it might be a good idea to check with the publishers now. They may correct it for you. It's common in Europe, from my limited experience to use the first style, but I have never seen an English text that is not written according to the second style.
- Well if you're still writing, as you imply, it might be a good idea to check with the publishers now.
- They may correct it for you.
- It's common in Europe, from my limited experience to use the first style, but I have never seen an English text that is not written according to the second style.
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4 Answers
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Well if you're still writing, as you imply, it might be a good idea to check with the publishers now. They may correct it for you. It's common in Europe, from my limited experience to use the first style, but I have never seen an English text that is not written according to the second style.
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Anonymous"Hello", she said."Hello," she said. (The comma goes inside the quotation marks.)
"Hi", he answered.
"Hi," he answered. (as above)
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This english "dialog style" seems worse if you ask me.
Like the name sais "quotation mark" it should "quote" something and the dialog line should introduce dialog.
My character is talking to me not quoting herserf/himself.
The "quotation marks dialog" looks messy when you want to also quote someone inside it:
"He said anything?"
"He said 'I'll be waiting 'till
Like the name sais "quotation mark" it should "quote" something and the dialog line should introduce dialog.
My character is talking to me not quoting herserf/himself.
The "quotation marks dialog" looks messy when you want to also quote someone inside it:
"He said anything?"
"He said 'I'll be waiting 'till
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Opinions are common. Everyone has one.
However, regardless of what you think seems worse or better, you need to follow the style expected by the audience you are writing for.
However, regardless of what you think seems worse or better, you need to follow the style expected by the audience you are writing for.
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