Hatrack River Forum: Are you a punctuation expert?

This is topic Are you a punctuation expert? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :

I'm writing a paper tonight, but I'm unsure of the punctuation in this sentence. Any takers?

Fowler suggests that throughout life each person develops a unique master story in which they answer life’s fundamental questions: “Who am I?”; “Where did I come from?”; “Who is in charge?”; “How can I find meaning in my life?”

Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :

Not punctuation, but . . .

"each person" is complimented by "he answers", not "they answer".

Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :

Thanks, I just noticed that after I posted it. I've reworked it:

Fowler suggests that throughout life each person develops a master story which answers life’s fundamental questions: “Who am I?”; “Where did I come from?”; “Who is in charge?”; “How can I find meaning in my life?”

Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :

Definitely lose the quotation marks--you're dealing with hypothetical quotations, so you don't need the quote marks. I'd also lose the semicolons because it looks awful to have multiple punctuation crammed together.

quote:
Fowler suggests that throughout life each person develops a master story which answers life’s fundamental questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Who is in charge? How can I find meaning in my life?

My general rule of thumb for punctuation is that it should be used when it helps guide the reader so that they can understand the sentence. It seems to me that the sentence is perfectly clear and understandable without that punctuation, so getting rid of it will improve the aesthetics and readability.

That was probably a lot more of an answer than you wanted, but that's the price you pay for asking editing questions when I'm around. [Wink]

Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :

Thank you, that was exactly what I needed to hear. I appreciate it [Smile]

Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :

My pleasure. [Smile]