Help with Speech Marks, Please?

This isn't what you asked about, but I wouldn't use 'cos, I use 'Cause. Actually, I might even prefer "because" in that sentence with a comma after stink. Just a thought.

You need an end quotation mark somewhere. I'm not sure if the whole thing is a quote from the goose, or if part of it is the narration continuing.

I don't see that; but, that's certainly up to you and what you're trying to do. It was just something I threw out as an idea.

Then I think this might work (although, since this is verse, I'm not sure about those commas and periods I put in; the "rules" bend a little on verse . . . and I didn't try to use semi-colons). I'm not sure about this however.

"You see," said the goose, "to be kind takes some thought,
you have to think how to be nice.
But Maddy can't think, she just causes a stink,
'cos her brain is all slop-dosh and rice."

How about this?

Dollywagon said:

"You see," said the goose, "to be kind takes some thought.
You have to think how to be nice
But Maddy can't think, she just causes a stink.
'Cos her brain is all slop-dosh and rice"

Click to expand...

or

You see, said the goose,
To be kind takes some thought
You have to think how to be nice
But Maddy can't think, she just causes a stink
'Cos her brain is all slop-dosh and rice

Click to expand...

If you want to be rid of commas and periods, you could probably lose the quotes, too.

Dollywagon said:

You lose the beat if you slip in Because, Alley Cat.
Plus, I'm in the UK, we may have a few differences in pronunciation!

Yes, the whole thing is a quote from the goose.

Click to expand...

I don't think you lose the beat if you use "cause," but in such writing, "Coz" works as well.

As for quotation marks, you use the next one after "rice," assuming this is when the goose stops speaking.

Punctuation

I would keep the punctuation. Just because it's verse in no way means it will read properly without punctuation.

It's in limerick pattern so, of course you can't just add a syllable. And it's not necessary to write in child-style or dialect ('cos' or 'cuz') if dialect is beside the point. You should probably use whatever abreviation your readers expect. In the U.S., some people like 'cuz' while (whilst) other U.S. speakers like 'cause'.

The difference in pronunciation is not significant for northeastern U.S. where 'because' is pronounced without the 'a', as it was in East Anglia, from whence came the Pilgrims. In Brooklyn, New York, it takes on a near-diphthong 'bee-ko-uz', just as does '33rd'.