0.C. Punctuation

Based on AACR2 1.0C1

Precede each area, other than the first, or each occurrence of a note or number, by a full stop, space, dash, space (. - ) unless the area, note or number begins a new paragraph.

Precede or enclose each occurrence of an element of an area with standard punctuation as outlined above, and also prescribed at the head of each area.

Precede each mark of prescribed punctuation by a space and follow it by a space, except for the comma, full stop, hyphen and double hyphen and closing parentheses and square brackets. The comma, full stop, hyphen, double hyphen and closing parentheses and square brackets are not preceded by a space; the opening parentheses and square brackets are preceded by a space.

Precede the first element of each area, other than the first element of the first area or the first element of an area beginning a new paragraph, by a full stop, space, dash, space. When that element is not present in a description, precede the first element that is present by a full stop, space, dash, space instead of the prescribed preceding punctuation for that element.

Indicate an interpolation (i.e. data taken from outside the prescribed source(s) of information) by enclosing it in square brackets. Indicate a conjectural interpolation by adding a question mark within the square brackets. Indicate the omission of part of an element by the mark of omission (...). Precede and follow the mark of omission by a space. Omit any area or element that does not apply in describing an individual item ; also omit its prescribed preceding or enclosing punctuation. Do not indicate the omission of an area or element by the mark of omission.

When adjacent elements within one area are to be enclosed in square brackets, enclose them in one set of square brackets unless one of the elements is a general material designation , which is always enclosed in its own set of square brackets.

Skaterdater [GMD] / [produced by] Marshal Backlar
but
[London : BBC, 1979]

When adjacent elements are in different areas, enclose each element in a set of square brackets.

[2nd ed.]. - [London] : Thomsons, 1973

When an element ends with an abbreviation followed by a full stop or ends with the mark of omission and the punctuation following that element either is or begins with a full stop, omit the full stop that constitutes or begins the prescribed punctuation .

261 p. : 24 cm. - (Canadian Ethnic Studies Association Series ; v. 4)
not
261 p. : 24 cm.. - (Canadian Ethnic Studies Association Series ; v. 4)

When punctuation occurring within or at the end of an element is retained, give it with normal spacing. Prescribed punctuation is always added, even though double punctuation may result.

Quo vadis? : a narrative from the time of Nero