Program Details 2019*
Title
Punctilious Punctuation: Telling tales with (and of) those jots and tittles, including why they're called jots and tittles, and the horrifying story of why the period goes inside the quotation marks
Description
Humans have a wonderful ability to miscommunicate with language. And as confusing as all those words are, they would be much, much harder to understand if it weren't for the punctuation we use to divide, group, emphasize, and combine them. Texting and newspapers' space-saving attempts may be responsible for turning punctuation into a dying art form, but Ian Randal Strock posits that punctuation is necessary, beautiful, evocative, meaningful… and a heck of a lot of fun. Come listen to this talk… if you dare. You may find yourself agreeing that the “schmutz” on the page really deserves our love.
Presenter’s Name
Ian Randal Strock
Presenter’s Website
http://www.IanRandalStrock.com
Presenter’s Bio
Ian Randal Strock is the author of Punctilious Punctuation (Milherst Publishing, September 2025), as well as several books on presidential history, and a slew of short science fiction stories. He's the editor-in-chief and publisher of Fantastic Books and Gray Rabbit Publications. And he’s passionate about the proper—and poetic—uses of punctuation.
*Note: This program was offered last year and may or may not be offered again this year.
