1. It makes a story more exciting – and easy to write!
DIALOGUE!
It makes a story more exciting – and easy to write!
See Bud, Not Buddy pages 70-71

2. “Learning dialogue can be fun,” said Bookhead.
Quotation marks show where the speaker’s words begin and end.

3. The first word of a quotation begins with a capital letter.
“Learning dialogue can be fun,” repeated Bookhead.
The first word of a quotation begins with a capital letter.

4. “A lot,” replied Bookhead quickly, “depends on having a positive attitude.”
Sometimes a quotation is divided. If the divided quote is one sentence, use commas to separate the quote from the speaker. Do not capitalize the second half of the quote!

5. “That is why I do so well in school,” added Bookhead
“That is why I do so well in school,” added Bookhead. “It’s always better to enjoy studying.”
If a divided quote is two sentences, use a period after the speaker. Capitalize the second sentence.

6. “Cool!” blurted out Pencilneck. “I’m going to get a new attitude!”
“Great!” Bookhead said happily. “Now I’ll have someone to study with! Let’s go to my desk and get started on English!”
When writing a conversation, always begin a new paragraph each time the speaker changes.

7. “Learning dialogue can be fun,” reiterated Bookhead.
A comma separates the quote from the speaker and always comes before the quotation mark.

8. “I know that learning can be fun!” exclaimed Bookhead.
“Are you sure?” asked Pencilneck.
If a quotation is a question or an exclamation, use a question mark or an exclamation mark instead of a comma.