1. Quotations and Quotation Marks

2. Direct Quotation
A direct quotation gives a person’s exact words and is enclosed in quotation marks (“ ”).

3. DQ Punctuation
Direct quotations begin with capital letters and end with proper punctuation.
End punctuation is inside the closing quotation marks.
Words that tell who is speaking are set off from the quotation by punctuation.

4. Examples Jamie asked, “What was the Titanic?”
When the quotation comes last in a sentence, set it off with a comma.

5. Examples
“It was the largest passenger ship in the world,” replied May. “It was enormous!” she added.
When the quotation comes first in a sentence, a comma, question mark, or exclamation mark sets off the quotation.

6. Examples
“It was built in Belfast, Ireland,” she added, “over a two year period.”
When the quotation is interrupted by words that tell who is speaking, use two sets of quotation marks.
Notice that words telling who is speaking are followed by punctuation. Use a comma if the second part of the quotation does not begin a new sentence.

7. Examples
“What happened to the Titanic ?” asked Jamie. “Is it still in existence today?”
Use end punctuation and a capital letter if the second part of the quotation does begin a new sentence.

8. I’m going on a hot-air balloon ride, said Sherry.
Practice
I’m going on a hot-air balloon ride, said Sherry.

9. “I’m going on a hot-air balloon ride,” said Sherry.
Practice
“I’m going on a hot-air balloon ride,” said Sherry.

10. Wow that’s so cool exclaimed Phil.
Practice
Wow that’s so cool exclaimed Phil.

11. “Wow that’s so cool,” exclaimed Phil.
Practice
“Wow that’s so cool,” exclaimed Phil.

12. He asked earnestly do you think I could come too.
Practice
He asked earnestly do you think I could come too.

13. He asked earnestly do, “You think I could come too?”
Practice
He asked earnestly do, “You think I could come too?”

14. I’ll ask my dad Sherry said.
Practice
I’ll ask my dad Sherry said.

15. “I’ll ask my dad,” Sherry said.
Practice
“I’ll ask my dad,” Sherry said.

16. What is it like inquired Phil.
Practice
What is it like inquired Phil.

17. “What is it like?” inquired Phil.
Practice
“What is it like?” inquired Phil.

18. She replied dreamily it’s like floating on a cloud.
Practice
She replied dreamily it’s like floating on a cloud.

19. She replied dreamily, “It’s like floating on a cloud.”
Practice
She replied dreamily, “It’s like floating on a cloud.”

20. The buildings and cars below look like toys she continued.
Practice
The buildings and cars below look like toys she continued.

21. “The buildings and cars below look like toys.” she continued.
Practice
“The buildings and cars below look like toys.” she continued.

22. How do you make it go up and down asked Phil.
Practice
How do you make it go up and down asked Phil.

23. “How do you make it go up and down?” asked Phil.
Practice
“How do you make it go up and down?” asked Phil.

24. A burner heats the air explained Sherry.
Practice
A burner heats the air explained Sherry.

25. “A burner heats the air,” explained Sherry.
Practice
“A burner heats the air,” explained Sherry.

26. More hot air takes you up she said and less takes you down.
Practice
More hot air takes you up she said and less takes you down.

27. “More hot air takes you up,” she said, “and less takes you down.”
Practice
“More hot air takes you up,” she said, “and less takes you down.”