Writing Tips Based on Frequent Errors from Narrative Writing 1.Periods and Commas ALWAYS go INSIDE of quotation marks. Memory Trick: Both periods and commas are small like miceThus they will always crawl under the quotation marks to the inside. We read the short story “The Tell Tale Heart” (wrong) We read the short story “The Tell Tale Heart ” (Correct!)

2. Colons and Semi-Colons ALWAYS go outside of quotation marks. Memory Trick: Both colons and semi-colons are tall like snowmenand must stay outside. We read the short story “The Tell Tale Heart” it was a very spooky tale. ;

3. Question Marks and Exclamation SOMETIMES go outside of quotation marks and SOMETIMES go inside. It depends on the content of what is within the quotation marks. If what is inside is a question, or exclamation then the question mark or exclamation mark goes inside, if not put it outside. Examples:“Is today Friday?” asked Mrs. Shope. Did we read “The Tell Tale Heart”? “Yes, it’s Friday!” yelled Mrs. Shope We read “The Tell Tale Heart”!

5. Relationships are NOT capitalized. Example: dad, mom, brother, cousin, aunt, etc. Relationships ARE capitalized when used as a name. Examples:My mom will be here at 2:15. Please don’t be late Mom. I went to my dad’s office. I went to Dad’s office.

6. Start a new paragraph (new line, indent 5 spaces) every time you change speakers in dialogue. “Hello,” said Marvin. “Hi.” “What’s new with you?” “Nothing,” replied Harold. “Do you want to go to the beach?” asked Marvin. “Sure.” Incorrect “Hello,” said Marvin. “Hi.” “What’s new with you?” “Nothing,” replied Harold. “Do you want to go to the beach?” asked Marvin. “Sure.” Correct ©Created by Cathy Shope, EWMS 2005