Actually, when a sentence ends in a quote, the punctuation (period, question mark, exclamation mark) is supposed to go inside the quotation marks, even if it isn't part of the sentence quoted.

This is a rule that is, it's true, more honored in the breach.

But really, all this proves is that NOM's got a more conservative and traditionalist copy editor.

This post doesn't make any, as it were, sense.

@1: I think they did it incorrectly. Here's how I learned it: Since the quote itself is not a question, the question mark should go outside the quote. Same goes for an exclamation mark. Periods and semicolons always go inside the quote, though -- unless you are writing computer code.

@2: Ha, thanks, I thought it was just me..

@1 - I learned that rule once, too. It's a bullshit rule, and hasn't really been followed or taught since the early '90s. The new thing is making the intention of your writing clear, and putting the question mark on the outside of the quotes, in this case, makes the intention clearer. And, frankly, I like the way it looks better than the old-timey way.

The punctuation critique regards the use of quotation marks at all, not their placement (which is correct). Alternately: Should schools teach our children that two plus two equals four? vs. Should schools teach our children that "two plus two equals four?" The quotation marks are unnecessary and inappropriate.

"The quotation marks are unnecessary and inappropriate. "

Kind of like NOM themselves.

If the schools taught our kids that a boy can marry a boy, they would be incorrect. Even after gay marriage is legalized, I'm pretty certain we're going to keep the "adults only" rule. Hopefully soon a man will be allowed to marry a man, but please, no boys.

@1, 3, 5: No, no, no. Here are the rules as they've always been taught in the U.S. (for as long as I can remember).

1. Always place periods and commas inside quotation marks:

"This is a stick-up," said the masked man. "Give me all your money."

2. Put colons and semi-colons outside quotation marks:

Jane wrote, "I won't be able to attend the fundraiser"; her letter, however, contained a substantial contribution to the cause.

3. Put question marks and exclamation points inside quotation marks unless they apply to the sentence as a whole.

I heard my daughter ask, "Mommy, can we go to the park now?"

Have you heard the old proverb "Do not climb the hill until you reach it"?

*The exception is when you're writing according to U.K. conventions, in which case periods and commas go outside the quotations marks, but that's not the convention in the U.S. (I follow the U.K. convention in Slog comments, not because I'm Canadian but because it looks neater with this font. Sorry for confusing you).

@6: The placement is incorrect. You are right that the quotation marks shouldn't be there, but if they were legitimate, the question mark should go outside them (see rule #3).

Stupid. I beat you to the punch, NOM! I already taught my kids that boys can marry boys and girls can marry girls, IN SOME STATES that aren't micro governed by bible-humpers and others who pace the floor at night worrying about the scary gays and their marriages. What now! NOM, you should try to drink less and meditate more. I think you'll find that you'll feel less anxious, less hateful.

I am now in love with #9. Though the UK convention thing is a problem, so I may have to dump her. :)

Only on Slog, #11; only ever on Slog!

Thanks Irena. I didn't know the one about the semicolon and colon. I've been tucking those too. Doh!

The cat is already out of the bag, NOM. In some places male humans CAN marry other male humans. And, yes, you should give children all the information that's out there about how there are many ways to have a happy loving family. That way, when they meet some of these families, they'll treat them as the normal, if somewhat less-common, families that they are. See how that works? You know, the kid can still stay cute and innocent (I see what you did there with the sweet toddler reading so cutely and use of the word "boy") if YOU don't make the subject dirty and perverted. Just give them the innocuous and benign CORRECT information.

Why would you ask such a stupid question?

Also Z, I'm a little buzzed, but I can't quite figure out

the meanings of your words. (I'm sure it's just me though, I had a hard, distracting day).