1. Come join the ride to learn how to use dialogue correctly in writing!
Dialogue Rules
ALL ABOARD…
Come join the ride to learn how to use dialogue correctly in writing!

2. A direct quote begins with a capital letter.
Rule #1
A direct quote begins with a capital letter.
Ex. Jimmy shouted, “See you at the game!”
Ex. “Is it true?” asked Cindy.

3. Rule #2
When a quote is interrupted into two parts with words like “he asked” or “the teacher demanded,” the second part begins with a lowercase letter.
Ex: “What are some of the things,” Mrs. Small asked, “that make school so much fun?”
Ex: “One thing I like,” Ali replied, “is recess!”

4. Rule #3
When writing dialogue, all punctuation marks at the end of the quote go at the inside of the quotation marks.
Ex. “Let’s visit the museum,” suggested Samantha.
Ex. Jon replied, “Didn’t we go there last weekend?”

5. Rule #4
Do not put a period at the end of a quotation followed by things like she said, mom asked, he explained. Use commas, question marks, and exclamation marks but not periods. Periods end sentences.
Ex: “My Math class is hard,” replied Tom
Ex: “That’s my favorite class!” yelled Monica

6. Rule #5
Make a new paragraph (indent) when a different person begins to speak.
Ex:
“Last night, I dreamt that I ate a giant marshmallow,”
Kevin said.
“That’s crazy!” replied Kate.
“Wait until you hear about the dream I had about swimming in a mountain of fruit cocktail,” responded Jim.