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TIDBIT TUESDAY: Ellipsis [. . .]

The ellipsis, three consecutive periods, is among the most misunderstood punctuation mark in the English language. It is used indiscriminately in text messages, posts, emails, social network posts, blogs, novels, and news stories. The ellipsis is an actual punctuation mark that has a very specific purpose.

In writing it is sometimes necessary to omit text from quoted material. Ellipsis are a series of periods with spaces between them that indicate information has been left out of a quote. Three periods indicate that at least one word has been removed from within a sentence.

Example:

In its most characteristic form it involves the ethnographer participating, overtly or covertly in people’s daily lives for an extended period of time, watching what happens, listening to what is said, asking questions . . . collecting whatever data are available to throw light on the issues that are the focus of the research. (Hammersley and Atkinson, 1995, p.1)
What was removed? "– in fact,"

Ellipsis containing four periods [. . . .] are used to indicate material has been omitted between sentences. The first period indicates the end of the sentence prior to the omission and the remaining three for the actual omission.

Example:

Participants’ creation of meaning maintained a text based focus with attention paid to social and cultural context. . . . Text messaging and social network sites were more than just informal practices used to hang out; participants used the technology to feel connected and to be a part of a known, intimate, and bounded community.
(Note: Four periods and four spaces. No space before first period as it marks the end of the sentence.)

Original text:

Participants’ creation of meaning maintained a text based focus with attention paid to social and cultural context (i.e. formatted to suit a specific audience). They focused on the message content and medium used—not on the design aspects—using the default modes as provided. Text messaging and social network sites were more than just informal practices used to hang out; participants used the technology to feel connected and to be a part of a known, intimate, and bounded community.

Things to consider:

1. When using ellipsis to remove text, make sure that the original meaning has not been altered.

2. Ellipsis points do not need to be added at the beginning or end of the quote as the reader assumes that additional material was present before/after the quote.

3. [ . . . ] There is a space before and after the ellipsis. (APA and Chicago Style)

Clarification:

When omitting information from quotes writers must be careful to retain the original intention of the narrative. If adding ellipses affects the grammar or other grammatical structures of the quote such that it might confuse the reader, add words in square brackets for clarification.

If, in a quote, several individuals are initially mentioned and then after the ellipsis the pronoun "he" is used, you may need to clarify information for the reader who “he” is. Example: “Tom, Rian, Joe, and Devan were debating the issues. . . . He [Rian] instigated the change."

Informal writing:

In academic writing ellipsis have one purpose: to represent omitted text. However, there are times in informal writing when ellipses are used to indicate that someone has either stopped speaking and/or there is a long pause in their speech. If you are using qualitative methods in which participants are being interviewed or observed the ellipses might be used in the transcript to indicate the pacing of one’s speech. Example

Not acceptable – description of a behavioral observation:
He… speaks… so… slowly… when… addressing… his peers.

Acceptable – quote from your transcripts:
Ever since I got this app on my phone . . . I been getting good grades in Spanish . . . I been doing my homework . . . it’s very helpful.

This latter example would be the only situation in which the ellipses would not be indicating omitted words. If possible, avoid the informal usage.

Final Note:

Do not split the ellipsis over two lines. Use two nonbreaking spaces to keep the three periods—or the last three of four—from breaking across a line.

TIDBIT TUESDAY

The Oxford comma (also known as the serial comma) is the comma that comes before the word “and” in a list of three or more terms. While you may not feel that the Oxford comma is necessary, writing style guides such APA, Chicago Style, and MLA do. The primary argument for using the Oxford comma is to reduce ambiguity.

Two clarifying examples:

1. This dissertation is dedicated to my parents, Ayn Rand and
God.

The placement of the one comma suggests that my parents are Ayn Rand and God. The intention of the sentence is to thank (1) my parents, (2) Ayn Rand, and (3) God. Hence, the sentence should read “This dissertation is dedicated to my parents, Ayn Rand, and God.”

2. For the lab, we need hydrogen peroxide, calcium, rubidium
and distilled water.

The comma replacement implies that “rubidium and distilled water” are one item. Just for fun, watch this YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfW6r64GVC0
You don’t want someone unfamiliar with these chemicals to put them together! This sentence should read “For the lab, we need hydrogen peroxide, calcium, rubidium, and distilled water.”

Ambiguity is problematic in academic writing. Misinterpretation in literature can cause people to scratch their heads but in academic/technical writing readers will get lost and may disengage entirely. The Oxford comma makes sure that the reader understands that items in the list are separate. If I say that I am inviting my two friends, Kayla and Devon does that mean I am inviting two or four individuals? Two friends plus Kayla and Devon or the two friends who happen to be Kayla and Devon? While you can argue that most will get the intended meaning it is always best to make your narrative clear and concise.

A final example:

Without the comma:
I’ve been reading this morning about two solutions to climate change, mosquito vaccinations and off-shore drilling. (This sentence tell us that mosquito vaccinations and off-shore drilling are solutions to climate change.)

With the comma:
I’ve been reading this morning about two solutions to climate change, mosquito vaccinations, and off-shore drilling. (Here we see that the person has read about several topics—climate change, mosquito vaccinations, and off-shore drilling.)

An Oxford comma could mean the difference between a focused reading of your ideas and work or time wasted trying to figure out confusing language.

Still not convinced?

A 10-million-dollar court case against Oakhurst Dairy in Maine has recently been settled.
The case was brought by the dairy drivers against Oakhurst Dairy and the Dairy Farmers of America Inc. regarding if they qualified for overtime. Their argument hinged on the lack of a comma in a sentence outlining duties. The confusion centered on whether drivers were exempted from overtime pay or not.

Judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. The Oxford comma is important.

For more details read the decision.
http://cases.justia.com/federal/appellate-courts/ca1/16-1901/16-1901-2017-03-13.pdf?ts=1489437006

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