Hatrack River Writers Workshop   
my profile login | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Hatrack River Writers Workshop » Forums » Open Discussions About Writing » Simple ? question

   
Author Topic: Simple ? question
Pyre Dynasty
Member
Member # 1947

 - posted      Profile for Pyre Dynasty   Email Pyre Dynasty         Edit/Delete Post 
"How do you do this?" Pyre asked.

"How do you do this?" Pyre said.

"How do you do this," Pyre asked.


Which one is right? (or if not right which is better?)


Posts: 1895 | Registered: Mar 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Christine
Member
Member # 1646

 - posted      Profile for Christine   Email Christine         Edit/Delete Post 
Both of the first two are correct. As to which is better, it depends upon style. I've used both.

[This message has been edited by Christine (edited July 17, 2006).]


Posts: 3567 | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
kings_falcon
Member
Member # 3261

 - posted      Profile for kings_falcon   Email kings_falcon         Edit/Delete Post 
The first two are correct. I tend to like using "said" instead of "asked" because the quote is obviously a question. I also try to use action tags when possible to avoid having to use either X said or X asked.
Posts: 1210 | Registered: Feb 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Robert Nowall
Member
Member # 2764

 - posted      Profile for Robert Nowall   Email Robert Nowall         Edit/Delete Post 
Depends on its location in the story. If it starts a stretch of dialog, the first two are right. But if it's midway into a stretch of dialog, you might omit "Pyre asked / Pyre said" altogether---depending on the circumstances. Like Christine said, it depends on style.

On "better" over "right"...I'd go with "Pyre asked," since Pyre is asking a question. Number Three is definitely incorrect.


Posts: 8809 | Registered: Aug 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
rickfisher
Member
Member # 1214

 - posted      Profile for rickfisher   Email rickfisher         Edit/Delete Post 
I agree: 1 or 2. As for better: for me, definitely 1. When I read
quote:
"How do I do this?" Pyre said.
(or anything similar) it always startles me, in a mild way, to hit that "said"--BECAUSE I know it's a question. It's as if someone came up to me and said, "Let me say a question" instead of "Let me ask a question." It pulls me out of the story (though barely).

Oddly enough, this:

quote:
Pyre said, "How do you do this?"
doesn't bother me the same way. That might just be me.

I also agree that dropping the tag altogether, when appropriate, is best of all.

[This message has been edited by rickfisher (edited July 18, 2006).]


Posts: 932 | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Robert Nowall
Member
Member # 2764

 - posted      Profile for Robert Nowall   Email Robert Nowall         Edit/Delete Post 
Oh, yeah...there's also "'How do I do this?' asked Pyre" school of phrasing.

For some reason, early on in my career as a writer, I took a dislike to writing sentences like that. Seemed an awkward way to say it. (Somehow it reminds me of Yodaspeak...but I think I'd already stopped doing it by the time that movie came out...)

I certainly can't say that I'm right and everybody who does it that way is wrong...it's just a personal preference...


Posts: 8809 | Registered: Aug 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Pyre Dynasty
Member
Member # 1947

 - posted      Profile for Pyre Dynasty   Email Pyre Dynasty         Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks everyone, it stops me up everytime I come to a question. This helps immensely.

Pyre.


Posts: 1895 | Registered: Mar 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
TMan1969
Member
Member # 3552

 - posted      Profile for TMan1969   Email TMan1969         Edit/Delete Post 
I agree with the majority, 1 & 2 sound right - but there is many ways to pose a question.


Posts: 287 | Registered: Jul 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

   Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | Hatrack River Home Page

Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2