Job Discussion Forums

Chancellor · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:23 pm Post subject: Do you abuse quotation marks?

There's a fine line between funny and annoying -- and it's exactly the width of a quotation mark. But it's not the quotation mark that deserves our wrath. It's our bad habits...

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/Features/Columns/?article=QuotationMarks&GT1=27004

It's an interesting article, though perhaps not particularly valuable.

johnslat · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:31 pm Post subject:

Dear Chancellor,
Nice article - but I disagree with this:

"Do not use them to be cute, funny or ironic. Chances are, you will be none of the above -- and you actually might make people think you're saying the opposite of what you intend."

I think that using quotation marks to identify ironic words/phrases is helpful, especially considering how many readers today don't seem to be able to recognize irony.

And you can quote me on that.

Regards,
John

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Yeah, Chancellor, real "useful" article.

Cool

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

OMG. It's the most egregious failing of my Dutch boss, who lived in the States for three years.

She comes across as absolutely untrustworthy and hypocritical Sad