Comments on: Colons (Continued)

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:58:33 +0000

A formal quotation would be words quoted directly from another source, as opposed to words that the writer paraphrased or made up. The writer should know whether or not the quote is direct or paraphrased.

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 02:20:28 +0000

The use of a colon to introduce a formal quotation is confusing because “formal quotation” is not defined. The example above is the best I’ve seen, but it still leaves me wondering what constitutes formal? When would I use a comma versus a colon? Is it a gray area? Does the writer determine if the quote is formal or is there a clear rule (one that doesn’t only use examples of formal quotes, whatever they are)?

Thanks in advance!

By: Jane

Jane — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 03:43:12 +0000

You’re right, Anne. Besides the earlier blog on this topic, you also can find the first example in the Colons section as Rule 6:

“Use the colon to follow the salutation of a business letter even when addressing someone by his/her first name. Never use a semicolon after a salutation. A comma is used after the salutation for personal correspondence.”

Your second example regarding use of a colon preceding a formal quotation can be found in the Chicago Manual of Style (6.63) as well as in this very sentence(!):

“A colon may also be used instead of a comma to introduce a quotation, either where the syntax of the introduction requires it or to more formally introduce the quotation.”

By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 01:57:39 +0000

Two other uses are common, one of which Jane put in an earlier column, and one I’d like to add. The first, which is the colon in the salutation of a business letter, is worth remembering. The people making hiring decisions do notice those little things!

The second is the introduction of a formal quotation using a colon. It’s an exception to Jane’s “one sentence” rule. A full colon can introduce a formal quotation, even if the quotation is only one sentence. The first letter of the sentence would also be capitalized.

Here’s an example:

Even though it is a misquotation, one of the comments most often attributed to Churchill is his absolute statement: “Never, ever, ever give up.”

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:41:30 +0000

I believe a straightforward solution would be to place the question mark after the word speech, thus eliminating the use of the colon. I would also recommend a slight rewording of the sentence and use of a block quotation for clarity.

Bob, what do you think about the beginning of Churchill’s speech?

I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.

By: George Mudrovich

George Mudrovich — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:55:47 +0000

Where does the question mark go when you have a question that involves information in a paragraph introduced by a colon? Here is an example of what I’m thinking about:
——————————————————–

Bob, what do you think about how Churchill’s beginning of the following speech:

I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.

—————————————–

Where does the question mark go?

By: Jane

Jane — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:23:29 +0000

If the sentence following the colon is the final sentence in a paragraph it is not capitalized.

By: Buddy

Buddy — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:40:45 +0000

If one sentence succeeds a colon, meaning this sentence should not be capitalized, but then a new paragraph begins, should the sentence following the colon in the previous paragraph actually be capitalized?

By: Jane

Jane — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:46:32 +0000

Your examples are both correct. Congratulations! No, do not capitalize the word “the” after the colon because it is followed by only one sentence. If more than one sentence follows the colon, capitalize the first word of each new sentence.
Example: They operated their small diner in an orderly fashion: The men cooked the food; the women served it. However, on Friday nights, local high school students helped with dishes.

By: Buddy

Buddy — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:15:18 +0000

Is it incorrect to connect two sentences that follow a colon with a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon, or should I just leave the pair of sentences separated with an ending punctuation mark?

Example:
They operated their small diner in an orderly fashion: the men cooked the food, and the women served it.

They operated their small diner in an orderly fashion: the men cooked the food, and the women served it.

Also, if these methods are correct, should the word “the,” before “men,” remain lowercased?