Giving Your Character Life Through the Spoken Word

Use quotation marks to enclose a direct quotation – a person’s exact words. Use quotation marks to enclose a direct quotation – a person’s exact words. Our team leader says, “I try to practice every day.” Our team leader says, “I try to practice every day.” “Let’s go home,” Jeanne suggested. “Let’s go home,” Jeanne suggested.

A directly quoted sentence begins with a capital letter. A directly quoted sentence begins with a capital letter. Mrs. Talbot said, “Please get a pencil.” Mrs. Talbot said, “Please get a pencil.” Kristina asked, “Is it my turn?” Kristina asked, “Is it my turn?”

Split dialogue When an expression identifying the speaker interrupts a quoted sentence the second part of the quotation begins with a lowercase letter. When an expression identifying the speaker interrupts a quoted sentence the second part of the quotation begins with a lowercase letter. “Will you take care of my lawn and pets,” asked Mr. Franklin, “while I’m on vacation next month?” “Will you take care of my lawn and pets,” asked Mr. Franklin, “while I’m on vacation next month?” * The expression identifying the speaker is called a speaker’s tag.

Split Dialogue If a quoted sentence is divided, a comma usually follows the first part and comes before the second part. If a quoted sentence is divided, a comma usually follows the first part and comes before the second part. “Oh,” Donna commented, “he’s probably just saying that because he’s never had a cat.” “Oh,” Donna commented, “he’s probably just saying that because he’s never had a cat.”

Quote at the Beginning… If a quotation mark comes at the beginning of a sentence, a comma, question mark, or exclamation point usually follows it. If a quotation mark comes at the beginning of a sentence, a comma, question mark, or exclamation point usually follows it. “Dogs make better pets than cats do,” said Jared. “Dogs make better pets than cats do,” said Jared. “Have you ever had a cat?” Emily asked. “Have you ever had a cat?” Emily asked. “No, and I never will!” he replied. “No, and I never will!” he replied.

Quote at the end… If a quotation comes at the end of a sentence, a comma usually comes before it. If a quotation comes at the end of a sentence, a comma usually comes before it. Terra asked, “What makes you say that?” Terra asked, “What makes you say that?”

Punctuation inside Quotes A period or a comma should always be placed inside the quotation marks. A period or a comma should always be placed inside the quotation marks. “I can’t wait to see Shirley Caesar’s new video,” James said. “It’s supposed to come out next week.” “I can’t wait to see Shirley Caesar’s new video,” James said. “It’s supposed to come out next week.”

The Exception to the Rule A question mark or an exclamation point should be placed inside closing quotation marks when the quotation itself is a question or an exclamation. Otherwise, it should be placed outside. A question mark or an exclamation point should be placed inside closing quotation marks when the quotation itself is a question or an exclamation. Otherwise, it should be placed outside. “What time will you be home from work, Mom?” asked Michael. “What time will you be home from work, Mom?” asked Michael. Who said, “All the world’s a stage”? Who said, “All the world’s a stage”? “Stop!” yelled the crossing patrol. “Stop!” yelled the crossing patrol. What a surprise to hear Susana say, “We’re moving back to Puerto Rico in June”! What a surprise to hear Susana say, “We’re moving back to Puerto Rico in June”!