Punctuating Quotations

Direct Quotations A report of a speaker’s exact words. Use quotation marks at the beginning and the ending of a direct quotation. “In the mid-1800s, Ada, countess of Lovelace, created the first computer program,” explained Carla. Use commas to set off explanatory words used with direct quotations. Mark said, “She also wrote about an early computer.” “She also,” said Mark, “wrote about an early computer.” “She also wrote about an early computer,” said Mark.

Direct Quotations If a quotation is a question or an exclamation, place the question mark or exclamation point inside the closing quotation mark. “Who could deny her remarkable contributions?” asked Carla If quoted words are part of a question or exclamation, place the question mark or exclamation point outside the closing quotation marks. Did Mark say, “A computer language was name in her honor”?

InDirect Quotations A restatement, in different words. Indirect quotations are often introduced by the word that. It does not require a comma. Direct: Todd said, “The name of one of the first electronic computers was ENIAC.” Indirect: Todd said that one of the first electronic computers was name ENIAC.

Divided Quotations A separated direct quotation. Use quotation marks to enclose both parts of a divided quotation. “ENIAC,” said Todd, “was constructed of 18,000 vacuum tubes and nearly filled an entire building.” Do not capitalize the first word of the second part of a divided quotation unless it begins a new sentence. “If we still used vacuum tubes,” explained James, “we would need whole houses for computers.” “Hmm, that’s interesting,” answered Todd. “My brother would have no place to put all his CDs.”

Divided Quotations A separated direct quotation. Use commas to set off the explanatory words used with a divided quotation. “Well,” exclaimed James, “he could always give them to me!”

In Dialogue A conversation between two or more speakers. In dialogue, a new paragraph and a new set of quotation marks signal a change in speakers.

A direct quotation begins with a capital letter. Rule #1 A direct quotation begins with a capital letter. Jimmy shouted, “See you at the game!” “Is it true?” asked Cindy.

“One thing I like,” replied Sarah, “is recess!” Rule #2 When a quotation is interrupted into two parts with words like “he asked” or “the teacher demanded,” the second part begins with a lower case letter. “What are some of the things,” Mrs. Baskin inquired, “that make school so much fun?” “One thing I like,” replied Sarah, “is recess!”

Rule #3 When writing dialogue, all punctuation marks at the end of the quotation go inside the quotation marks. “Let’s visit the museum,” suggested Samantha. Jon replied, “Didn’t we go there last weekend?” “But when we did,” Beth added, “we didn’t see the Ancient Egyptian exhibit.”

Rule #4 Do not put a period at the end of a quotation followed by things like she said, mom asked, he explained. Use commas, question marks, and exclamation marks but not periods. Periods end sentences. “My Algebra class is driving me crazy!” Paul yelled. “That’s my favorite class,” Becky replied.

Make a new paragraph when a different person begins to speak. Rule #5 Make a new paragraph when a different person begins to speak. CORRECT: “Last night, I dreamt that I ate a giant marshmallow,” Kevin said. “Was that anything like the dream you had about eating your way through a mountain of fruit cocktail?” asked Suzy. “Scarier,” Kevin explained. “This time I woke up and my pillow was gone.” INCORRECT: “Last night, I dreamt that I ate a giant marshmallow,” Kevin said. “Was that anything like the dream you had about eating your way through a mountain of fruit cocktail?” asked Suzy. “Scarier,” Kevin explained. “This time I woke up and my pillow was gone.”

Other Reminders Always make it clear who is speaking in the dialogue Use a variety of sentences to create dialogue (speaker at front, speaker in middle, speaker at end) Try to avoid using the word “said” repeatedly SAID IS DEAD!