One Man’s Comma is Another Man’s Period

September 26, 2008

With the frequent use of technology based communication a bit of a grammatical nightmare has developed! Common trends are incomplete sentences, abbreviations, sentences without punctuation at all, and misused punctuation. When it comes to script writing, these common omissions can translate into misinterpretation from the voice actor. The punctuation you choose to use in your script can completely change the mood you are trying to establish and using the accurate punctuation mark will give the voice actor insight into how you want the sentence delivered.

Do you remember this old adage?

An English professor wrote the words: “A woman without her man is nothing” on the board and asked his students to punctuate it correctly.

All of the males in the class wrote: “A woman, without her man, is nothing.”

All the females in the class wrote: “A woman: without her, man is nothing.”

In the long run using proper punctuation in your scripts will spare you from having to ask the voice actor to do revisions. Ultimately, saving you time and money! Below we have compiled a list of commonly used punctuation marks, and how to use them correctly, to help you polish up your script:

An Apostrophe ( ‘ ) is used to show letters missing from a word, to mark the possessive, or to denote joint possession:

The wedding is at four o’clock.

The girl’s dress is yellow.

The girls’ dresses are yellow.

Jane, Joan, and Julie’s dresses will be yellow.

Brackets [ ], often confused with parenthesis ( ), are used to enclose information or words omitted by the writer

The following year [2002] was a significant time for them.

A Colon ( : ) is used to break a distinct but related sentence into components or is used to indicate who is speaking:

Three of the Caribbeans best kept secrets are: Anguilla, Saint-Martin, and St Kitts.

Jill: I’m looking forward to island hoping in the Caribbean!

A Semicolon ( ; ) is used to indicate a longer pause in a sentence than a coma but shorter pause than a period

I can’t wait; I haven’t seen you in so long!

A Comma ( , ) represents a slight pause in a sentence or is used to separate words in a list:

We went for coffee, and talked for hours.

Table 5 ordered a black coffee, a cappuccino, and an espresso.

A dash ( - ) is used to indicate a sudden break in sentence or change of thought (not to be confused with a Hyphen)

Everyone had a great time – or so I thought.

An Exclamation Mark ( ! ) indicates a command or an emotional response

Get your shoes on!

We are going to celebrate tonight!

Ellipsis Dots ( … ) indicate that something has been removed from the text usually used in quotations

“If there’s anything we can do at all…”

A Hyphen ( - ) links parts of a compound word/phrase or is used to divide words

Forty-two years old, ex-military, mid-day, step-by-step, up-to-date, self-serving

Parenthesis ( ) are used when there is a departure from the sentence that is still relevant to the topic, to add examples of the topic, or when using intervals

That’s true, but on the flip side of the coin (there’s two sides to every story) the campaign was not well executed.

She has her own recording software (Neumann Mic, Adobe Audition, ISDN line, full music library, etc) which allows her to work from home.

You will need the following basic equipment for a PC based studio:

(1) Microphone

(2) High Speed Internet

(3) Windows 2000 or Windows XP

(4) Recording and Editing Software

(5) Audio Conversion Program

A Period ( . ) is used at the end of a sentence for a statement or instruction, after an abbreviation or initials,

Please have the files delivered to me by email.

Etc., C.I.A., Homer J. Simpson, Mrs.

A question mark ( ? ) is used when a direct question has been asked

Susan asked; “When is the deadline?”

“When is the deadline?” Susan asked.

Quotation Marks ( ? ) are used to indicate direct speech, a quotation within a quotation, to emphasize a word or phrase, or an ironical use of a word

Jill said, “We had perfect weather on our vacation”.

“Susan told me, “you can’t do that”, boy, did I ever prove her wrong!” exclaimed Jack.

He is the “King of Voice Overs”.

Can I “borrow” you for a second?

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