I.

Word Style:
Special instruction:
 Magkahiwalay ang na lang, pa rin, na rin, pa lang (except kung “pala” ang ibig
sabihin)
 one word kung ang nasa gitna ng word ay magkasunod na vowel or consonant
example: nakauniporme; paggising; buntonghininga
NOTE: pero iba po ang rules sa dalawang rootword na pagsasamahin o gagawing
2 words or one word
 with hyphen kung magkasunod vowel at consonant, or vice versa
a. Curse Words - One of the vowels should have asterisk (ex: f*ck, tang*na, etc.)
b. Tagalog + English – always separate using hyphen (ex: nag-review, um-order,
pinag-trip-an)
c. Contraction or complete word? --- No problem, as long as it will be consistent.
Ano ang can also be shorten to Ano’ng. Iyong to ’Yong, Sa iyo to Sa ’yo, Ninyo to N’yo.
d. mga + English word – omit po yung “s” sa plural form ng word kung may “mga” na. Then
kung awkward basahin para sa English word, omit na lang yung “mga” then retain yung
plural form.
example: mga schoolmate; mga reporter; mga assignment
e. Kuya, Ate, Mommy, Mama, Daddy, Papa, Lolo, Lola, Manong – Capitalize first letter as
long as proper noun ang pagkakagamit.
Examples: si Tatay
“Bakit ka umiiyak, Ate?”
II. RAW at DAW, DOON at ROON, DITO at RITO, DIN at RIN, NANG at NG (Please click the link
for tutorial: http://filipinotutorial.blogspot.com/2010/02/wastong-gamit-na-raw-daw-dito-
rito.html

Common Mistakes Beginning Writers Make When Writing a Dialogue

 
Mistake no. 1: Using an action in the speaker tag
 
In a speaker tag, “said” is usually the best word to use. You may also use “shouted,”
“whispered,” “answered,” and “explained” whenever appropriate. Avoid using “conveyed,”
“verbalized,” “elucidated,” and other fancy words. Never use words that do not denote actual
speaking, such as “sighed,” “blushed,” and “squirmed.”
 
WRONG: “I love you,” he sighed.
CORRECT: “I love you,” he said.
CORRECT: “I love you,” he said, sighing.
CORRECT: “I love you,” he said, and then he sighed.
CORRECT: “I love you.” He sighed. (You need not use a speaker tag when it’s clear who is
speaking.)
 
Mistake no. 2: Using a period before the speaker tag A speaker tag is part of the sentence. Use a
comma before the closing quotation mark, regardless of the length of the quoted words.
 
WRONG: “I love you.” he said.
CORRECT: “Yes,” he said.
CORRECT: “I love you,” he said.
CORRECT: “I love you, and no matter what happens, I’ll never give up on us,” he said.
 
Mistake no. 3: Using a comma with a question mark or an exclamation point
 
WRONG: “Do you love me?”, she asked him.
WRONG: “I love you!”, he answered.
CORRECT: “Do you love me?” she asked him.
CORRECT: “I love you!” he answered.
 
Mistake no. 4: Not putting the speaker tag as early as possible
 
To prevent confusion, the reader must know right away who is speaking.
 
BAD: “I love you. No matter what happens, I’ll never give up on us,” he said.
GOOD: “I love you,” he said. “No matter what happens, I’ll never give up on us.”
GOOD: “Yes,” he said. “I love you.”
GOOD: “Babe,” he told her, “I love you.”