Appropriate Punctuation in Dialogue

[ottabelle]

So, here's a question I ponder. Does punctuation have to be perfect when writing dialogue? First knee jerk reaction, in my opinion was, YES. But, I don't write like that.

My thought was, "Is it ok to use inappropriate comma use to show how a character speaks with breaks and pauses?"

Comma use, and other devices apply. Another example would be using "..." to show they trailed off at the end of a sentence. Is this "allowed" by editing unwritten or written laws?

[limebirdwriters]

Are we talking in a screenplay or in your novel? This is a tricky one, because when we speak, we always make mistakes, stutter, stumble on words, forget what we are going to say. So, actually, perfect punctuation isn't all that true to life!

Yes, I definitely think that the elipsis is acceptable in writing dialogue! Well, I use it all the time! It's really difficult to convey exactly how you want your characters to speak, so I think it's definitely up to you as the author. Everyone is going to have their own opinion about how it 'should' be, but I think it's up to you!

[4amWriter]

I think it depends on who ultimately edits your ms. Rules vary across the board and some are picky about comma use. Your safest bet is to keep to the most consistent standard you can. Does that make sense? I know what you mean about using punctuation to highlight inflection or a pause while someone is speaking, but it simply could look like you don't know how to use commas if it's different throughout your ms.

Some writers use ellipses ... to show that the speaker has trailed off at the end of a sentence, but I know many writers who despise ellipses and they would rather you write it in a tag like He suddenly stopped speaking.

Basically, there is no rule set in stone, there are people who have their strong opinions on the matter, and your best bet is to be clear and consistent to avoid confusion.

Hope that helps!

[ottabelle]

I've been consistent in dialogue use, and consistent as I know how in grammar. So, hopefully it would balance out.

I guess one day I'll find out

Thank you for answering and letting me know I don't have to change every single piece of dialogue. :3

[dennismlane]

Always read your dialogue out loud. That way, if you need a comma to show a break then use it. You are the one in control and trying to force you characters into using perfect punctuation is one burden that you just don';t need.

As for the ellipsis...

[ottabelle]

Haha, thanks Dennis

[termitewriter]

When you're self-published, you don't have to worry about editors! That's something that really appeals to me! However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to maintain high standards. In dialogue, you want to suggest what the voice sounds like, so ellipses and dashes are perfectly OK. If a character is distraught, for example, a speech may incorporate a lot of that. Here's an example from my soon-to-be published novel "The Termite Queen":
He released a small laugh. “I, uh … I was only wondering … I realize I didn’t want to write to your … mother … today, but … Once, you said something … You said your … she … wanted to think of me as a … as a son … Do you think she still would … I mean, feel that she could … ?”
Now comes the question: should you use dashes or ellipses? In the beginning I was using lots of ellipses, then I decided to go through and replace quite a few of them with dashes. I felt that in the above speech ellipses were best because the language is really quite broken up with pauses, to the point of being incoherent.
There may be a rule saying to use dashes at the ends of lines, like "If I may suggest -- " but personally I prefer "If I may suggest ... " And since I'm indie-published, that's what I do!

[ottabelle]

That is once nice thing about self-publishing. You can do it however you want. And you did a good job making him coherent but incoherent. I felt his nervousness. I also read through it fast, imagining him doing it that way.

Thanks for your input! Makes sense to me.

[limebirdmike]

Reading dialogue back to yourself definitely helps. I don't mind the odd use of dashes and ellipses, but you really do need to consider how your work appears on the page. It may make sense to include an abundance of ellipses, but it really doesn't work well aesthetically, and it can also be a major chore to read! I speak from good experience here, as my mum can't write me an email without writing.... a little bit... like this... whenever she says something... which can be quite annoying.... though I must put up with it... because she's my mum. In the last email the ellipsis count was in excess of 25!

[ottabelle]

Hmm I see your point! I don't think I've overused them to that extent! They usually only happen at the end of a sentence. I don't want to always say she paused or she trailed off, you know?