Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences
Most writers and editors learn not to join (or splice) two independent clauses with a comma alone. . . .
“Smart” Apostrophes (CMOS 6.117)
There are two different kinds of apostrophes: smart and straight. To use them correctly, it helps to understand how they work. . . .
Chicago Style Workout 34: Editing and Proofreading Quiz No. 2
It’s time for another editing and proofreading quiz! This is the second in a series of workouts that will apply your editing knowledge and proofreading skills to Chicago style.
Hi Everyone! It’s Me, the New Q&A and Shop Talk Editor
Okay, now that I’ve introduced myself, let’s talk about that headline up there. If you’re like me and edit or proofread for a living, you’ve probably noticed that something about it isn’t quite right. . . .
Ellipses with Periods (CMOS 13.53)
When words are left out of a quotation, an ellipsis of three dots (. . .) takes their place. When this works correctly, the reader can skip over the dots and the sentence . . .
An Update on Direct Questions without Quotation Marks
At paragraph 6.42, the 17th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style notes that a direct question is sometimes included within a sentence but not enclosed in quotation marks. When such a question comes in the middle of a sentence, it is usually introduced by a comma, and (this is the new part) it
Cheryl Klein talks about editing children’s books
Cheryl Klein is editorial director at Lee & Low Books and the author of The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults and the forthcoming picture book Wings.
Chicago Style Workout 26: Colons
This month’s workout, “Colons,” is taken from CMOS 17, paragraphs 6.61–67. Advanced editors might tackle the questions cold; learners can study paragraphs 6.61–67 of the Manual before answering the questions.
An Update on Using Commas with Etc.
At paragraph 6.20, the 17th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style notes that the abbreviation etc. (et cetera, literally “and others of the same kind”) and such equivalents as and so forth and and the like are preceded by a comma. In a slight departure from previous editions of CMOS, such expressions are
Chicago Style Workout 24: Commas with Quotations and Questions
This month’s workout, “Commas with Quotations and Questions,” is taken from CMOS 17, paragraphs 6.40–42. Advanced editors might tackle the questions cold; learners can study paragraphs 6.40–42 of the Manual before answering the questions.