First of all, I would like to say "I'm back!!!!", and I'll be on here more often. I have a question that needs to be answered! We all know the famous elipsis. If you dont know what that is either you have not heard of the word or I spelled it wrong. Well, it's the part of writing that goes "..."(Dot Dot Dot). Now, I have played games and see it in Wheel of Time all the time where this techniques is used for that Dramatic Pause. For example, "My dog, he...died". However, after watching a funny Youtube video, I was told that the way it is used, is wrong. supposedly, its used to "word" out something. for example "help...aliens...died!". My question is this:which one is correct, and if it is the latter, how can I correctly use that "Dramatic Pause", thanks guys.
Posted by TrishaH24 (Member # 8673) on :
They're both correct.
If you need more information about ellipsis, check this web site out:
I'm not sure why this causes so much controversy. It's just three little dots. lol
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
Of course, if you place an ellipsis on each side of a triple dash, you need help.
Posted by Crystal Stevens (Member # 8006) on :
The three dots can also be used for an unfinished sentence. This is particularly true with dialogue when the speaker gets emotional and chokes up before he/she finishes what he/she was intending to say.
Posted by tchernabyelo (Member # 2651) on :
Yep, I use it quite heavily in dialogue (if you listen to real people talking, they often let sentences trail off unfinished, and though written dialogue often needs to be different from spoken dialogue, I do try and represent that) and have had no issues with it from editors as far as I can recall...
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
^ lol
Posted by genevive42 (Member # 8714) on :
Eric, very funny. Do you think you could put that message in a ...bottle?
Posted by micmcd (Member # 7977) on :
I also use it for "dramatic pause" (which only makes me think of Dramatic Squirrel when you call it that) in the narrator's thoughts.
"I play around with a dash for similar effects, though mostly to indica-" "Interruption! I knew it!"
Posted by babooher (Member # 8617) on :
Aposiopesis is an abrupt failure to complete a sentence and is often marked with the ellipsis. I figure if there is a term for it that recognizes the artistic merit then it can't be wrong.