Medical Writing: Titles and Usage

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association – 7th Edition

Page 366 Review

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Understanding Quotation Mark Usage in Medical Writing

This analysis focuses on the appropriate use of quotation marks in medical writing, particularly as outlined in the provided excerpt. The excerpt emphasizes clarity and consistency, aiming to avoid ambiguity in scientific communication.

Quotation Marks for Instructions and Direct Speech

The excerpt highlights how to format instructions for study participants. “If instructions are long, present them in an appendix or set them off from text in block quote format without quotation marks; see Sections 2.14 and 8.27.” This approach prioritizes readability and avoids disrupting the flow of the main text. Instead of embedding lengthy instructions directly, researchers can provide them separately, making the core content more accessible.

The excerpt further illustrates direct speech. “The first item was ‘How tired do you feel after a long day at work?’ Participants read, ‘You can write as much as you like when answering the questions.’” This demonstrates how quotation marks clearly delineate the exact wording of questions posed to participants or instructions given to them. This is crucial for transparency and allows readers to understand the context of the study and the information participants received.

Quotation Marks for Irony, Slang, and New Terms

A significant portion of the excerpt addresses the use of quotation marks to indicate irony, slang, or newly coined terms. The rule is to use quotation marks only for the *first* occurrence of such a word or phrase.

“To introduce a word or phrase used as an ironic comment, as slang, or as an invented or coined expression; use quotation marks only for the first occurrence of the word or phrase, not for subsequent occurrences.”

This is further clarified with examples:

* “First occurrence: considered ‘normal’ behavior. Subsequent occurrence: normal behavior.”
* “First occurrence: called a ‘friendly link’. Subsequent occurrence: a friendly link.”

The rationale behind this convention is to signal to the reader that the term might not be used in its conventional sense or that it’s a novel concept. By removing the quotation marks in subsequent uses, the term becomes integrated into the text without unnecessary visual clutter. Continuously using quotation marks can distract the reader and imply continued hesitation about the term’s validity or appropriateness.

Quotation Marks for Labels and Titles

The excerpt also provides guidance on using quotation marks for labels and titles. Similar to the rule for irony and slang, quotation marks are used sparingly after the initial introduction.

“To introduce a label; after the label has been used once, do not use quotation marks for subsequent occurrences.”

An example clarifies this point:

“The image label changed from ‘spiderweb’ to ‘dartboard.’ The spiderweb and dartboard labels . . .”

This rule helps maintain consistency and readability. After the label has been clearly defined, its repeated use doesn’t require further demarcation with quotation marks. The reader understands the term’s reference, and the absence of quotation marks simplifies the text.

The section on titles is brief, stating that quotation marks are used to “to set off the title of a periodical article or book chapter when the title is…”. While the excerpt doesn’t elaborate further in this provided snippet, it implies that titles of shorter works within larger publications (articles within journals, chapters within books) are typically enclosed in quotation marks.

Importance of Consistency

Throughout the excerpt, the underlying principle is consistency. By adhering to these guidelines for quotation mark usage, medical writers can ensure that their work is clear, concise, and easily understood by their intended audience. Ambiguity can have serious consequences in the medical field, making precise and consistent communication paramount.

In conclusion, the excerpt provides a valuable framework for understanding the nuances of quotation mark usage in medical writing. By following these guidelines, writers can improve the clarity and professionalism of their work, contributing to more effective communication within the medical community.
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