f a long line of
poetry which will not fit the register and has to be run over into an
adjoining line.

Doubt whether to use parentheses or brackets can usually be settled by
this general principle:

Parentheses always enclose remarks apparently made by the writer of the
text. Brackets enclose remarks certainly made by the editor or reporter
of that text.

THE INTERROGATION

The interrogation is the point that asks questions. It should always be
placed outside quotation marks unless it is a part of the quotation
itself.

_Rules for the Use of the Interrogation_

1. The interrogation point is used at the end of every direct question.

Are you there?

Indirect questions, that is, statements that a question has been asked,
do not require the interrogation.

He asked me if I was there.
He asked the question, Are you there? and received no answer.

2. At the end of each of a series of questions thrown into a single
sentence.

Did he speak in an ordinary tone? or shout? or whisper?

3. The interrogation, like a certain inflection in the voice, may
indicate that a sentence, though declarative in form, is really a
question and requires an answer.

You are, of course, familiar with New York?

THE EXCLAMATION

The exclamation mark is the mark of strong emotion.

_Rules for the Use of the Exclamation_

1. After every expression of great surprise or emotion.

Look, my lord! it comes!
Angels and ministers of grace defend us!
Alas! my father.

2. After interjections and other exclamatory words.

Hurrah! Good! Away! Oh!

Where the exclamations are repeated without particularly emphasizing
each one, each may be followed by a comma except the last.

Ha, ha, ha! That's a good joke!

O used as a vocative or to express a desire or imprecation does not call
for an exclamation.

O John.
Oh, yes.
O, that night would come!

The exclamation is sometimes used in job printing to fill out a display
line or for other inadequate reasons. These uses should be avoided.

THE APOSTROPHE

The apostrophe is primarily the sign of the possessive case, but it has
several other uses.

_Rules for the Use of the Apostrophe_

1. The apostrophe for the possessive case is added only to nouns, not to
the pronouns, which have their distinct possessive forms. _Its_ is a
possessive pronoun. _It's_ is an abbreviation for _it is_. Do not use an
a