Quotes/Comma question?

[Geoff Hart <ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca>]

Darren Butler wondered: <<Please help settle a debate. Is it correct  
to follow quotation marks with either a comma or a semi colon?>>

If the sentence structure calls for punctuation after the quotes,  
then yes, add the appropriate punctuation. However, the location of  
the punctuation depends on whether your house style is to use  
American or British punctuation of quotes. American style places the  
punctuation inside the quotes, whether or not it belongs there;  
British style places punctuation inside the quotes only if it belongs  
there, which is why it's sometimes called "logical" punctuation.  
American style appears more consistent because the punctuation is  
_always_ inside the quotes, whereas the position varies in British  
style; however, American style is "illogical" because it can lead to  
serious problems sometimes.

In your specific example: <<When the Test Path screen appears, type  
"C:\Applications\test programs\TS3.exe", then select NEXT.>>

Here, quotation marks in general are a bad idea because I can  
guarantee that some readers will type the quotation marks and get  
frustrated when they get the wrong result, particularly if your  
audience includes any newbies. Placing the punctuation inside the  
quotes would be doubly disastrous, because anyone who understand that  
the quotes should not be typed will also understand that anything  
inside the quotes must be typed. Same consequence: the wrong results.

There are many and various solutions. If you're willing to tag all  
"type this" examples with a character style (TypedText, for  
instance), then you can do this quickly and easily, and define that  
style to use a specific font (Courier is traditional) that is clearly  
distinct from the surrounding text. A good alternative is "Type the  
following:", with the text to be typed on the next line. Both  
approaches are simple and effective.


----------------------------------------------------
-- Geoff Hart
ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca / geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com
www.geoff-hart.com
--------------------------------------------------
***Now available***  _Effective onscreen editing_
(http://www.geoff-hart.com/home/onscreen-book.htm)


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.