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Subject:Re: Punctuation in quotes -- American style From:David Farbey <dfarbey -at- yahoo -dot- co -dot- uk> To:TECHWR-L Writers <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Mon, 19 Aug 2013 20:43:38 +0100
Have you considered using a different typeface for code samples or for the
words the user needs to type in? If you did that you would not need to use
quotation marks at all:
Set the value of the mode attribute to titleBelow
(If you can't see the formatting in your mail client, I set the value
titleBelow in Courier)
I would even go so far as to say that you can leave the punctuation off the
end of that sentence entirely. You're not writing a novel, or an editorial
for the Times, you're writing instructions to help your customers get their
work done.
On 19 August 2013 19:08, Lynne Wright <Lynne -dot- Wright -at- tiburoninc -dot- com> wrote:
> This is one of these issues that can inspire vigorous debate on finding
> the middle ground between honoring punctuation rules versus aiming for
> ultimate clarity. But in reality, its not going to make much different to
> the end user.
>
> If you follow the punctuation rule, I don't think users will be confused
> about what to do, since, if I understand this correctly, they are selecting
> options from a list, rather than entering values by typing. In other words,
> readers will ignore the period.
>
> Putting the period after the 2nd quotation mark keeps the name of the
> value distinct and accurate; and I doubt readers will give a toss... or
> even notice... that strictly speaking, the period is out of place.
>
> So its really your call. Personally, I'd put the period outside the marks.
>
> To avoid this type of issue, I format references to UI components that you
> perform actions on, or that you select, in bold, instead of using quotation
> marks.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=tiburoninc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com[mailto:
> techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=tiburoninc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
> Behalf Of Richard Hamilton
> Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 1:51 PM
> To: TECHWR-L Writers
> Subject: Punctuation in quotes -- American style
>
> American-style punctuation calls for periods and commas to appear inside
> quotation marks.
>
> No question on the general rule.
>
> The question is, are there circumstances where you would break that rule?
>
> For example, consider the following sentences:
>
> Set the value of the mode attribute to "titleBelow."
>
> Do not use the mode attribute when type="note."
>
> I'm still inclined to bring the punctuation inside the quote, thought that
> second one gives me pause, but I'm open to other interpretations and your
> thoughts on when this rule can/should be broken.
>
> Best Regards,
> Richard Hamilton
> -------
> XML Press
> XML for Technical Communicators
>http://xmlpress.net
> hamilton -at- xmlpress -dot- net
>
>
>
>
> -------
> XML Press
> XML for Technical Communicators
>http://xmlpress.net
> hamilton -at- xmlpress -dot- net
>
>
>
>
>
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