punctuation - Punctuating a phrase leading up to a question


In formal writing (like a technical paper), is there a generally accepted way to punctuate the break between an introductory phrase and a question in a sentence like this?



Let's ask ourselves (--insert punctuation here--) what would a world without computers look like?



I know that you could reword it to avoid the direct question, but that's not what I'm asking about.


A few possibilities occurred to me:





  1. Let's ask ourselves: what would a world without computers look like?




  2. Let's ask ourselves - what would a world without computers look like?




  3. Let's ask ourselves... what would a world without computers look like?




  4. Let's ask ourselves, what would a world without computers look like?




  5. Let's ask ourselves, "What would a world without computers look like?"





Which would be the best to use and why?



Answer



I believe that 1) is the best choice. According to this source, a colon is used "before a list or an explanation that is preceded by a clause that can stand by itself."


While 5) also seems correct, and the others are at least defensible, I think 1) works best.


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