1. Punctuating Dialogue Photoshopped Summer Narrative

2. Observe: #1 Use quotation marks before and after a character's exact words. Place a period inside closing quotation marks. “Steve and Matt are joining us."

3. Observe: #2 Use a comma to set off the speaker's dialogue tag (he said) from the beginning of a quotation. Place the comma inside closing quotation marks when the speaker's tag follows the quotation. Kayla said, "Come on, Rachel. It'll be fun." "Let's go," Tina said.

4. Observe: #3 Use quotation marks around each part of a divided quotation. Remember to set off the speaker's tag with commas. "I'm not sure," said Chris, "that I feel like it."

5. Observe: #4 Place a question mark or an exclamation point inside the quotation marks when it is part of the quotation. "When will we be back?" David asked. "Hooray!" said Lauren.

6. Observe: #5 Start a new paragraph when you move from one speaker to another. "How long a hike is it?" Sarah asked. "I don't know whether I have the energy." "I think," said Erin, "that it's about seven miles to the top."

7. Writing Authentic Dialogue How do you write good dialogue? Easy. Listen. Listen to how people speak. Eavesdrop a little and try to write down some conversations. What you'll find is that people usually don't speak in long, well-developed sentences. More often, conversations consist of incomplete sentences, cliches, stringy descriptions, sudden shifts of thought, and even non-words, e.g., "Uh..."

8. Writing Authentic Dialogue If you write dialogue where your speakers use long formal sentences, it's going to sound fake (unless this is the way these characters actually spoke). Example one: "Alex," my mother asked, "what were your activities and pursuits at your middle school today?" "I had a full day of activities, Mother. My teachers were stimulating, and my English class was especially delightful." Example two: "How was school?" "I don't know. All right, I guess."

9. Interior Dialogue Example one: “I lied,” Charles thought, “but maybe she will forgive me.” Example two: I lied, Charles thought, but maybe she will forgive me.

10. Practice Revise each sentence below, adding quotation marks and other punctuation where necessary. 1.The view from up here is absolutely amazing Katelyn exclaimed. 2.Wouldn't it be wonderful to stay and watch the sunset Pete asked. 3.I'd love to do that said Tricia but we forgot to bring flashlights to guide us back down. 4.Maybe you forgot to bring a flashlight said Michelle. I never go hiking without one. 5.Maybe we should ask John said Matthew. He's the one who has to carry two backpacks. 6.Oh, right Pete said. I forgot that Katelyn didn’t want to carry her own.

11. Answers 1.“The view from up here is absolutely amazing,” Katelyn exclaimed. 2.“Wouldn't it be wonderful to stay and watch the sunset?” Pete asked. 3.“I'd love to do that,” said Tricia, “but we forgot to bring flashlights to guide us back down.” 4.“Maybe you forgot to bring a flashlight,” said Michelle. “I never go hiking without one.” 5.“Maybe we should ask John,” said Matthew. “He's the one who has to carry two backpacks.” 6.“Oh, right,” Pete said. “I forgot that Katelyn didn’t want to carry her own.”