Dialogue `

Using Dialogue Dialogue - conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or movie Use quotation marks to show what the character says aloud (Direct Quotation). Generally, punctuation is written inside the quotation marks when dealing with dialogue. It should be very clear who is the speaker.

Rule #1 - New Paragraph When a new speaker speaks, start a new paragraph Right: “Did you hear what happened to Mary last week?” Joseph asked. “No. Do tell!” cried the little drummer boy. Wrong: “Did you hear what happened to Mary last week?” Joseph asked.“No. Do tell!” cried the little drummer boy.

Rule #2 - Capitalization Capitalize the first word of what a person says. Right Robert asked, “May I go to the bathroom?” Wrong Robert asked, “may I go to the bathroom?”

Rule #3 - Punctuation Quotations are set off from the rest of sentence by a comma, a question mark, or an exclamation point. Punctuation marks are generally placed inside the quotation marks. Comma - Delores explained, “You know how much I like chicken,” as she passed her plate for more.

Periods (inside quotation marks) “I haven’t seen the movie,” remarked Jeannette, “but I understand that it’s excellent.” Jeannette remarked, “I haven’t seen the movie but I understand that it’s excellent.” Exclamation Points “Yes!” I answered. “Please turn down the air conditioner!” I answered, “Yes, please turn down the air conditioner!”

Question Marks “When will we be leaving?” asked Tony. Tony asked, “When will we be leaving?”