RIGHT USE OF PUNCTUATION MARKS IN FICTION WRITING

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The quotation mark is one of the many punctuation marks that people use the wrong way.

The improper use of punctuation marks sends the wrong message and makes your readers get tired of the story quickly.

What are the things to note as a fiction writer?

1. 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 (𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮, 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸) 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀.

For Example:

1)
Use: “We should eat Eba tomorrow,” Dapo said.

Not: “We should eat Eba tomorrow”. Dapo said.

2)
Write: “Are you sure of what you are saying?” Mum asked.

Not: “Are you sure of what you are saying”? Mum asked.

And definitely not: “Are you sure of what you are saying?” Mum asked?

1. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸, 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀.

For Example:

Write: “Does the topic ‘My fiance is holy’ fit?” She asked.

Not: “Does the topic “My fiance is holy” fit?” She asked.

Not: “Does the topic My fiance is holy fit?” She asked.

1. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀.

For Example:

Write: “Dad,” Davina began, “I am short of ideas.”

Not: “Dad” Davina began, “I am short of ideas.”

Not: “Dad”, Davina began, “I am short of ideas”.

I believe you will use your quotation marks properly from today so that your story will be more enjoyable for your readers.

….

Your work is eagerly awaited by the rest of the world.

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