Q. Hi—I seem to remember in an earlier edition of the CMOS that, if parenthetical material ended in a period, the final period of the sentence should be omitted, even if the rules
would otherwise require it. Here’s an example:
She prepared all the Thanksgiving dishes (turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, etc.)
She prepared all the Thanksgiving dishes (turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, etc.).
A co-worker has insisted that the second example is correct and has scoffed at me for suggesting that the first example is
preferred. Did I deserve the scoffing? Please do not tell me to omit the “etc.”
whenever possible, because this will not be an option in most cases.
A. The scoffer is right. A sentence needs punctuation at the end, and it can’t appear within the parentheses
unless the entire sentence is contained in the parentheses. Version 2 is correct.
[This answer relies on the 17th edition of CMOS (2017) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. If I have a sentence that includes a parenthesis (say I’m talking about a 401[k] plan), do I really
have to change the (k) to brackets? It seems wrong to be messing with the government like that :). But then again, if the
sentence had a parenthesis that ended with 401(k), I’d have a double parenthesis.
A. If you are bothered by using square brackets within parentheses, either abandon Chicago style (because it does not suit your
needs) or rephrase the text to eliminate the need for double parentheses.
[This answer relies on the 17th edition of CMOS (2017) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. Dear CMOS, I am puzzled by what appears to me as an inconsistency in your demonstration of footnote style with author-date system. The example in CMOS 15.31 demonstrates a footnote that is clearly indented. However, the text sample for figure 15.2 shows a footnote whose first line is not indented. Can you please tell me what is correct format for this issue?
A. CMOS doesn’t specify a style for indenting notes, although endnotes are almost always indented (as in fig. 14.2), as opposed to footnotes, which aren’t always (as in fig. 15.2 or this manual; see, e.g., the footnote to paragraph 1.57). This is usually not an editorial decision, but rather a design decision, so it’s not something editors should mark. Proofreaders should mark it only if they notice inconsistency.
[This answer relies on the 17th edition of CMOS (2017) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. What is the rule about using quotation marks to signal an unusual use of a word? I’m editing a writer
who employs this device overmuch, it seems to me. But I don’t want to be a fuddy-duddy. Any advice?
A. Chicago discourages this usage. Better to say exactly what you mean. Excessive use of scare quotes imparts a jittery feel
to writing and gives the impression that the writer isn’t skilled at conveying precise meanings. When
you decide to use them because they seem like the best way to introduce an unusual phrase or jargon, drop the quotation marks
for subsequent uses of the same word or phrase.
[This answer relies on the 17th edition of CMOS (2017) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. To emphasize a word in the narrative (not dialog), is it acceptable to use italics or should I use “quotation marks”? Also, can a question mark and an exclamation point be combined (?!) to emphasize the question, i.e., “Are you calling me a liar?!” Thanks!
A. Chicago style discourages the use of italics for emphasis and frowns on the use of a question mark with an exclamation mark. Quotation marks do not usually indicate emphasis. Rather, they indicate irony or double entendre, both of which are also discouraged in academic publishing. Even in fiction, such tricks may be taken as a sign of hack writing. Try to convey emphasis through phrasing, rather than with typographic bells and whistles. You will be surprised how much more quietly powerful writing can be with all the exclamation points removed. Try to reserve those marks for shouting.
[This answer relies on the 17th edition of CMOS (2017) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. Although periods go inside quotation marks in text, is it acceptable to put the period outside the quote when the quote is part of a string of computer code? Following the rule for text would distort the string of code, causing confusion. Example: Include the type identifier: type=“text/JavaScript”.
A. Yes, some types of writing require that punctuation be placed outside the quoted material (please see CMOS 7.79). And in any case, Chicago editors are quick to abandon a rule if it renders writing useless or incorrect. It is usually acceptable to do the sensible thing.
[This answer relies on the 17th edition of CMOS (2017) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. In typing a single quotation mark within a double quotation mark, does one add a space for clarity, as in “ ‘,
or are they printed without a space, as in “‘?
A. Typesetting software often adds a hair space automatically, so don’t type in an extra space. If you
want to be sure of getting a thin space, mark on the manuscript “thin#” or “hr#.”
In works published online, a nonbreaking space can be used and will enhance legibility.
[This answer relies on the 17th edition of CMOS (2017) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. Are the commas in the following placed correctly? (The sentence cannot be recast.) “She took a workshop
titled, ‘Writer’s Workshop,’ several years ago.”
Thank you.
A. The commas should be taken out. If you set off a phrase with commas, you’re implying that it’s
parenthetical in nature, which means that the sentence doesn’t need it: “She took
a workshop titled several years ago.” Obviously, “Writer’s
Workshop” is needed for the sentence to make sense.
[This answer relies on the 17th edition of CMOS (2017) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. I know the period or comma goes inside both single and double quotation marks, but is an apostrophe treated the same as a
single quotation mark, or does it stay with its word? For example: “That ain’t
nothin’,” Joe replied.
A. Yes, the apostrophe is part of the word. You’ve styled it correctly.
[This answer relies on the 17th edition of CMOS (2017) unless otherwise noted.]
Q. With the author-date system, I know that punctuation is supposed to follow the reference—for example, “And his other misfortune” (Brown 2001, 1a). But does this still hold true for questions? It just plain looks wrong to me. For example:
It appears as if, in the culture of breast cancer, death is a taboo: “Why is there no room in this cult for some gracious acceptance of death, when the time comes, which it surely will, through cancer or other misfortune” (Ehrenreich 2001, 1a)?
A. Here, the question mark is part of the quotation. The larger, overall sentence (which is a statement) requires its own ending punctuation:
It appears that death is a taboo, but “why is there no room . . . for some gracious acceptance?” (Ehrenreich 2001, 1a).
When the overall sentence is a question, the question mark goes at the end, after the reference:
Is death a taboo, with no room for “gracious acceptance” (Ehrenreich 2001, 1a)?
[This answer relies on the 17th edition of CMOS (2017) unless otherwise noted.]