Punctuation in Plays: A Quick Guide
Here's a breakdown of the common punctuation rules used in plays:
1. Dialogue:
* Speech Prefixes: Always capitalize the first letter of the character's name followed by a colon.
* Example: JOHN: I'm going to the store.
* Parentheticals: Use parentheses to indicate actions, tone, or stage directions within dialogue.
* Example: JOHN: I'm going to the store. (Picks up his keys)
* Periods, Commas, Question Marks, Exclamation Points: Placed *inside* the closing quotation marks.
* Example: JOHN: "I'm going to the store."
* Dashes: Use em dashes (—) to interrupt speech.
* Example: JOHN: "I'm going to the store — wait, I forgot—"
* Ellipses: Use ellipses (…) to indicate a trailing off or an unfinished thought.
* Example: JOHN: "I'm going to the store... I think."
2. Stage Directions:
* Placement: Enclosed in parentheses or brackets and placed *after* the dialogue or alone on a line.
* Example: JOHN: I'm going to the store. (Walks towards the door)
* Punctuation: Use periods at the end of stage directions.
3. Scene and Act Breaks:
* Scene Breaks: Use the word "SCENE" followed by a Roman numeral. Place the scene number at the beginning of the scene.
* Example: SCENE II
* Act Breaks: Use the word "ACT" followed by a Roman numeral. Place the act number at the beginning of the act.
* Example: ACT I
4. Titles:
* Play Titles: Italicize the title of the play.
* Character Names: Use all caps for character names in the list of characters.
5. Other Notes:
* Don't use quotation marks around dialogue in stage directions.
* Avoid using question marks or exclamation points in stage directions.
* Capitalize the first word of every speech in a play.
Remember, these are just general guidelines. Specific formatting rules may vary depending on the publishing house or theater company.
For more detailed information, consult a style guide specifically for playwriting, such as *The Chicago Manual of Style* or *The Playwright's Guide to Manuscript Formatting*.