Welcome, people! Glad you're here. Punctuation isn't easy to begin with, but applying proper punctuation rules to the spoken word is a challenge only reporters can appreciate. So let's chat about it, throw around rules, and figure it out together.

Thanks for the invite, Marla. My default authority is Miss Lil (Lillian Morson), then Gregg's, then Jim Barker at CRF

Phil, maybe you could convince Lillian and Jim to join our little group here. It would be awesome to have them on here, wouldn't it?

thanks for inviting me, Marla.
I just finished a grammar and punctuation class
at the courthouse today, (I know, it's Saturday)
given by Margie Wakeman Wells. she gives these
'classes' all over the country. pretty neat "class."

I'm glad to test what I know and what we went
over today!
kathy

Ooh, exciting, Kathy! You should share some of what you learned with us here.

Marla
I know that Jim Barker is very busy running the CRF (as the owner) and is constantly working on and updating SearchMaster (as the owner), as well has having other interests and a family. I also know that he does peruse most of these forums, and that when he has something to add to a discussion he will.
I think you're a member of the CRF, and if you wish, you can extend the invitation to him (formally or informally).

As for Miss Lil aka Teach, Lillian Morson, I know she's at least in semi-retirement and no longer takes part in these online discussions, although she did in the infancy of the internet, when we were on Prodigy, and other internet formats. I don't even know how to reach her. In addition, we now have what I would consider quite a few learned reporters, scopists, etc., in the area of grammar and punctuation where the majority of questions will be properly answered. I also note that the majority of members of this forum are also members of other forums catering the the reporting world, and would daresay that they know who the "experts" are.

Okay, Marla.

One thing I remember from today is
that ALL commas and periods go INSIDE the quotes.

--but we all already knew that one; right?

use semi colon in front of "right" because it is considered to be a "slang" or shortcut of "is that right"

this semi colon 'rule' applies also to "correct" and "true"
correct" is considered to be a shortcut of "is that correct" and
"true" is a shortcut of "is that true" therefore, a
semi colon goes in front of them at the end of a
question (or answer)
but that is where Ms. Wells draws the line with regard to semi colons in front of these "shortcut" words.
all the other things that might come at the end of a
question should have the appropriate punctuation
rules applied to them individually.

:)) kathy

I've been thinking about that, putting a semicolon before "right," "correct," and "true." I was taught to use a semicolon only if it's three words or more. But I was thinking that the reason we put a semicolon is because it's an independent clause (has a subject and a verb). If you take out "is that," then it's no longer an independent clause, whether it's implied or not. Did she talk about that in her seminar?

I use a comma before right and correct. I've seen others use a semi, and it's jarring to my eye. I'll continue to use a comma.

I generally use a comma just prior to "right?" "correct? "is that right?" and "is that correct?" but if there is a pause, I'll paragraph and make a new sentence for "Is that right?" etc.

But I was thinking that the reason we put a semicolon is because it's an independent clause (has a subject and a verb). If you take out "is that," then it's no longer an independent clause, whether it's implied or not. Did she talk about that in her seminar?

you are exactly correct, Marla,
it is an independent clause that 'restates' the question, that's
the reason for the semi colon. no comma here. and as for
paragraphing? well, i guess you had to be there; right?

sorry, I answered your question unclearly.
whether or not it has "is that" in front of "correct, right, or true"
doesn't matter. "correct" is short for "is that correct" and Ms. Wells
applies the same rule - use a semi colon

I understood that, Kathy. So Ms. Wells feels that that is the way to do it; the punctuation book I learned from feels the comma is correct. I think in this case, you choose your "expert" and go from there. I think this is an opinion question that people have to choose for themselves.

So I have it on "stop following," and I keep getting all the notifications that somebody has posted.

It makes it where I don't even like checking my email.

Any suggestions?

Oh, and I'm with you, Brenda. I use the comma there, but of course I still use a comma before "too." :)

I went to Ms. Well's class at the CCRA convention in Oct. Some things are so ingrained, it's just very difficult to change them. The semicolon there is jarring to my eyes, too.

you are right, Ms. Wells showed us many things that were right
in line with what I was taught in school and it made a lot of sense
to me.

I do understand that everyone has an opinion, and my English teacher
did always tell us that punctuation is subjective.
I'm sorry if I sounded like the FINAL word on this. I was just sharing from Saturday's class.
kathy

I appreciate seeing it, Kathy. Just popping in with a different point of view.

and as for "too" I agree with you, Tami. I like the comma in front
of it also. and Ms. Wells says that was never a correct punctuation,
it just sort of evolved.

i'm keeping my comma in front of too, too!!

Well, I'm wanting to weigh in on the comma vs. semi-colon before right, correct, true, etc. I, too, use a comma. (Like how I got ",too,"
in there?) Some habits die hard. Hey, Tami, could it be our old Chaffey College instruction?

I'm all for keeping current with the latest/greatest trends, but this one's tough cuz it also involves how I write it on the job. It's a habit to stroke the comma and then the "right," "correct," or "true." Maybe I just need a one-stroke for "comma correct." Anyone?

Marla, this is a terrific idea - I am always struggling with commas! I put too many in - just like my attorney friends, I hold the old rule "if you take a breath, you need a comma" and I need to break the habit! Thanks!

Hey, Marla, thanks for the invite. This awesome.

Christine Kirley, I do K-RBGS and R-RBGS for ", correct" and ", right". If you use the -RBGS with letter for one of your alphabets, just throw an asterisk in. I do the same thing with ", like," L-RBGS and ", well," WHR-RBGS.

Here's a link to The Blue Book of English Grammar website. Has cool quizzes and stuff. http://www.grammarbook.com/default.asp

I write SW-EBGT for ; correct
SW-AOEU T = ; right

i write semi colon as = SW-RBGS

kathy

Marla and Kathy, thanks so much for the suggestions on the short strokes with punctuation for right, correct, etc. Those are great!

I use a semicolon before [is that] right and [is that] correct. "is that" is implied, thus making it a complete sentence requiring a semicolon instead of a comma.
As for paragraphing the [implied or not] is that right or correct, if the is that correct relates to a complete paragraph with more than one thought or sentence in it, I paragraph it. If it relates only to the prior sentence, I usuallly don't.
In other words, if the attorney is asking if what he said before is correct and what he said before covers more than one thought or sentence, I paragraph it. You kind of have to be there. It usually refers to when they actually say Is that correct? as opposed to just Correct? But sometimes it happens.

great comment, Veronica, thanks for the refresher
course! I like your "style" and I will apply the 'paragraphing' the next time I do a transcript.
it really makes sense!
thanks,
kathy

Hi, Group,
I've got a question I know you've all been faced with and me too!

but after doing some thinking about it, I am starting to question my
justifications for doing it this way.

what is the correct way to put this in a transcript:

He was there at three o'clock.

He was there at 3 o'clock.

He was there at 3:00 o'clock.

I would choose the last one, but upon reflection, I think the first one.
now I'm not sure.

any comments??

kathy

#3 is saying: three o'clock o'clock....#1 is how our firm does it. #2, you want to spell out the 3. No expert, but what we do, lol!

thanks Rhoda,
I agree with you, but I am wondering
when an attty is "scanning" the transcript wouldn't
they rather see 3:00 o'clock so that they can find it faster?
kathy

If you are doing a word index, it would be found easier that way for the atty....it is not grammatically correct...the secretary would probably catch it and chuckle....they do that, ya know, lol. I worked in a law firm.

3:00 would be easily found, especially in a word index. 3:00 o'clock is redundant. I show all time in digits. Having the word three spelled out isn't helpful at all in trying to find something and I'm surprised it is still endorsed for reporters.

I use 3:00 for both three o'clock and three -- as in I was there at three or I was there at three o'clock. Finding it easily on the page or in an index is the reason I changed from using 3 o'clock.