Paragraphs and quote marks ?

Piliger

Paragraphs and quote marks ..

I have a character giving a talk/presentation. So I have to break it up into paragraphs to avoid it being indigestible.

Question. Do I use quote marks at the end of each para ? or only at the beginning and end ? even after maybe five paras ?

Das Kitty

You use them at the very beginning, and then at the start of each new paragraph. You only use the close quotation marks at the very end of the speech.

Hope that helps.

Timfy

If a dialogue starts getting a bit protracted, try a device to split up sections of said dialogue ie;

"Presentation..."

John paused and scanned his audience. He noticed Dr Smith leaning forward in his chair, eyes narrowed, and he finally knew he was on to something.

"Continue presentation..."

Piliger

Thanks Timfry.

Kitty ... I must profess my ignorance. I have never encountered a situation where one would not use matching opening and closing quote marks.... you say don't put a closing quote mark at the end of paras, only an opening at the start of the next one ? and a closing at the end of the whole quote ?

(leaving aside all issues about advisability of such a long quote)

Das Kitty

I do say that. I do indeed.

Here's a humourous take on it, explaining why we do this. (Top voted answer)

http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/96608/why-does-the-multi-paragraph-quotation-rule-exist

Piliger

Das Kitty wrote: »

I do say that. I do indeed.

Here's a humourous take on it, explaining why we do this. (Top voted answer)

http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/96608/why-does-the-multi-paragraph-quotation-rule-exist

Brilliant. Thanks for your time on that. Ill see how it looks at the final draft stage.