parentheses

Use sparingly and try to write around using them. Parentheses are generally not read by not read by screen readers, so it is safe to assume that the parenthetical information will be read as if it is part of the sentence and not a separate or inserted thought.

However, use parentheses if a state name or similar information is inserted into a proper name where it is otherwise not normally found, for example: The Monroe (Mich.) News or the Bloomington (Ind.) Herald-Times.

Use within a direct quotation to insert or identify sensitive information, such as a subject only identified by the speaker by a pronoun in the quote.

Example:

Without: She said he was at risk of losing the Speaker’s gavel, Jones said.
With: (Michaels) said (Johnson) was at risk of losing the Speaker’s gavel, Jones said.
Best: Michaels recently said that Speaker Johnson is at risk of his gavel, Jones said.

← Return to Punctuation