QUOTATION MARKS AND COMMAS IN DIALOGUE AND CAPITALIZATION OF TITLES OF BOOKS, POEMS, ETC., AND TITLES OF COURSES

Quotation Marks and Commas with Dialogue Direct quotations are another person's exact words--either spoken or in print--incorporated into your own writing. Use a set of quotation marks to enclose each direct quotation included in your writing. Use a capital letter with the first word of a direct quotation of a whole sentence. Do not use a capital letter with the first word of a direct quotation of part of a sentence. If the quotation is interrupted and then continues in your sentence, do not capitalize the second part of the quotation. 1. Mr. and Mrs. Allen, owners of a 300-acre farm, said, "We refuse to use that pesticide because it might pollute the nearby wells." 2. Mr. and Mrs. Allen stated that they "refuse to use that pesticide" because of possible water pollution. 3. "He likes to talk about football," she said, "especially when the Super Bowl is coming up."

Quotation Marks and Commas with Dialogue Commas are used to indicate dialogue or to set off a quotation with some identifying material. However, if your introduction to a quotation uses the word “that” or involves a partial sentence incorporated into your own sentence, you do not need to include a comma. Peter said, “Are you going to dinner tonight?” “I’m not really hungry,” replied Joni. Conwell states, “It is all wrong to be poor, anyhow” (65). But NOT: Conwell states that “it is all wrong to be poor, anyhow” (65). A conditional gift is one that “may be stated in specific words or it may be inferred from the circumstances” Clement Scott claimed that “the vision of Ophelia does not suggest to Hamlet passion, but purity” (47); the performance suggested that Hamlet was exhorting Ophelia to “save [her]self from the contact and contamination of man while [she] can!” (Scott 47).

Practice I. In the following sentences put in quotation marks wherever they are needed. If they are not needed, write “not needed.” 1. Mary is trying hard in school this semester, her father said. 2. No, the taxi driver said curtly, I cannot get you to the airport in fifteen minutes. 3. I believe, Jack remarked, that the best time of year to visit Europe is in the spring. At least that's what I read in a book entitled Guide to Europe. 4. My French professor told me that my accent is abominable. 5. She asked, Is Time a magazine you read regularly? 6. Flannery O'Connor probably got the title of one of her stories from the words of the old popular song, A Good Man Is Hard to Find. 7. When did Roosevelt say, We have nothing to fear but fear itself.? 8. It seems to me that hip and cool are words that are going out of style.

Practice I. In the following sentences put in quotation marks wherever they are needed. If they are not needed, write “not needed.” 1. “Mary is trying hard in school this semester,” her father said. 2. “No,” the taxi driver said curtly, “I cannot get you to the airport in fifteen minutes.” 3. “I believe,” Jack remarked, “that the best time of year to visit Europe is in the spring. At least that's what I read in a book entitled Guide to Europe.” 4. My French professor told me that my “accent is abominable.” 5. She asked, “Is Time a magazine you read regularly?” 6. Flannery O'Connor probably got the title of one of her stories from the words of the old popular song, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find.” 7. When did Roosevelt say, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”? 8. It seems to me that “hip” and “cool” are words that are going out of style.

More Practice II. In each of the following pairs, select the sentence in which dialogue or a direct quotation is punctuated correctly. 1. A. Thomas Jefferson criticized King George III by writing "He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good." B. Thomas Jefferson criticized King George III by writing, "He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.” 2. A. "We hereby resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain" promised Abraham Lincoln. B. "We hereby resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain," promised Abraham Lincoln. 3. A. "This is a day" said Franklin D. Roosevelt "that will live in infamy." B. "This is a day," said Franklin D. Roosevelt, "that will live in infamy.” 4. A. Harry S Truman had a sign in his office that read, "The buck stops here." B. Harry S Truman had a sign in his office that read "The buck stops here.”

More Practice II. In each of the following pairs, select the sentence in which dialogue or a direct quotation is punctuated correctly. 1. A. Thomas Jefferson criticized King George III by writing "He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good." B. Thomas Jefferson criticized King George III by writing, "He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.” 2. A. "We hereby resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain" promised Abraham Lincoln. B. "We hereby resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain," promised Abraham Lincoln. 3. A. "This is a day" said Franklin D. Roosevelt "that will live in infamy." B. "This is a day," said Franklin D. Roosevelt, "that will live in infamy.” 4. A. Harry S Truman had a sign in his office that read, "The buck stops here." B. Harry S Truman had a sign in his office that read "The buck stops here.”