1

2 You can QUOTE me on that A quote is the exact wording of a statement from a source. That statement may be a fact or it may be opinion. Quotes make a story more lively and more believable. Readers are more likely to believe what your story says if there are reliable sources speaking in their own words in the story. There are several types of quotes.

3 Direct Quotes  Quotes printed word for word, exactly as the speaker said them are direct quotes. These words appear inside quotations.  There are 9 quotation rules.

4 Direct Quotes  Use quotation marks at the beginning and the end of a direct quotation. Ex. Tom said, “Amber and I are going to the movies tonight.” “It seems like my classmates are very careless about their assignments,” said Macy.

5 Attribution In general, the attribution word is SAID. However, there may be times when another word can be used: Use asked when the source asked a question. Use added only if a source adds to information already given. Use stated only when a source read from a prepared text. Use according to only when quoting a printed source.

6 Punctuating Quotations Use commas to set off explanatory words used with direct quotations (whether they occur at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of the sentence). Mrs. Baker said, “Mrs. McNiel drives her scooter to school every Tuesday.” “Mrs. McNiel drives her scooter to school,” stated Mrs. Baker, “when it is not raining.” “Mrs. McNiel’s scooter is pink,” stated Mrs. Baker.

7 Punctuating, continued Leave off the closing quotation marks at the end of a paragraph if the quote continues in the next paragraph. If a quote is a complete sentence, begin it with a capital letter. If it’s not, don’t.

8 Using Quotation Marks  If a quotation is a question or an exclamation, place the question mark or exclamation point inside the closing quotation marks.  “Did Mrs. Baker tell her class that I had a scooter?” asked Mrs. McNiel.  “Stop all the lies!” shouted April.

9 Quotations and Questions  If Quoted words are part of a question or exclamation, place the question mark or exclamation point outside the closing quotation marks.  Mark asked, “On the night of the party, did someone leave their car keys on the table?”  Did Mr. Jones say, “All shirts must be tucked in at all times”?

10 Remember…  Commas and periods always go INSIDE closing quotation marks. They’re too little to stay outside.

11 Indirect Quotations  Do not use quotation marks to set off an indirect quotation.  An indirect quote is a restatement, in different words, of what someone said.  An indirect quote is often introduced by the word that. It does not require a comma.  Ex. Jesse said that he would pay attention if he could sit in a different seat.

12 Divided Quotations  A divided quotation is a direct quotation that is separated into two parts, with explanatory words such as he said or she said between the parts.

13 Divided Quotations  Use quotation marks to enclose both parts of a divided quotation.  Do not capitalize the first word of the second part of a divided quotation unless it begins a new sentence.  Use commas to set off the explanatory words used with a divided quotation.

14 Examples of Divided Quotes  “If it is raining,” added Mrs. Baker, “we will not go on the field trip.”  “We will not go on the field trip,” stated Mrs. Baker, “because it is raining.”  “It is raining,” Mrs. Baker said. “We will not go on the field trip.”

15 Quotations in Dialogue  In dialogue, a new paragraph and a new set of quotation marks signal a change in speakers.  If you quote a paragraph or speech from someone, use quotations at the beginning and ending of the entire quote.

16 To Wrap It Up  Quotes make our writing much more interesting.  It is always better to be able to know exactly what someone said!!