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Comment by Tori Schafer on September 29, 2014 at 6:45

Unless that's her official nickname, I wouldn't cap it. :)

Comment by Janiece Young on September 28, 2014 at 9:15

Would you capitalize "mini-me"?

TIA

A. I called her -- I called her mini-me.

Comment by Jean on September 25, 2014 at 20:01

Hi, Victoria,

Thanks for your feedback.   Morson's Rule 97 Example C applies and I totally missed that one.    And it looks like they don't use a comma before the quotes.  So I'm good!!   Thanks for your help!!!  

Comment by Tori Schafer on September 25, 2014 at 16:49

Jean, I read it that the attorney is giving the witness options about the mom might have said, so I quote the two options separately. 

I would do this:

Did your mom say, "What is going on?  They're taking our children into protective custody, and they're saying that you raped Judy," or, "They're saying that Judy says you raped her."  Anything like that?

I think a comma after "her" would be acceptable also.

Morson's Rule 97 states that if you're unsure about where the quote ends, put a comma where you know it begins and cap the first letter.

This is truly one of those reporter's-preference issues.  If you're not a fan of quotes for speculation, feel free not to use them at all.

 

Comment by Janiece Young on September 25, 2014 at 16:40

Thank you, Victoria.  This is a punctuation rule that I struggle with.  I am trying to ingrain it in my brain so I get it right every time.  :-)

Comment by Tori Schafer on September 25, 2014 at 16:39

Just looked it up, and Morson's Rule 46 says you're right about the comma, Janiece.

Comment by Janiece Young on September 25, 2014 at 16:15

This is a rule I am trying to get in my brain.  I think this should be punctuated this way because you can put the word "and" in between "honest and "off-the-top-of-my-head answer."  Also you can reverse "honest and "off-the-top-of-my-head answer."  So that means these are probably coodinate adjectives and should have a comma in between them; right?

Thanks!!!

I can't give you an honest, off-the-top-of-my-head answer on that one.  

Comment by Janiece Young on September 25, 2014 at 16:12

Jean, can you post an example of how you are wanting to quote this?  I'm not sure.

Is it all one speaker or is someone else speaking when "They're taking our children" starts?  Is that part of the quote?

 

Did your mom say, "What is going on?  They're taking our children into protective custody and they're saying that you raped Judy or they're saying that Judy says you raped her, anything like that?"  

Comment by Jean on September 25, 2014 at 11:58

Okay, I'm looking at previous postings and it looks like it might be okay to quote this type of material to make it stand out.

What do you all think?

Comment by Jean on September 25, 2014 at 11:39

How would you punctuate the following?  It's the lawyer asking the witness if his mom might possibly have made the following statements in a certain situation.

Did your mom say, What is going on?  They're taking our children into protective custody and they're saying that you raped Judy or they're saying that Judy says you raped her, anything like that?  

I always wonder if I'm supposed to put a colon after the first "say."

Do you just capitalize the first word?  I usually don't use quotes as this is just speculation.   Does anyone have an answer for this?  I always get confused on how to best punctuate here.

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