Using Dialogue in a Narrative

Building the Foldable Cut on the DOTTED lines. Fold the example column into the center. Glue the foldable onto the next available page in your IAN

Rule #1 Rule Examples Quotation marks should only be used for direct quotes, not indirect quotes. Direct: “Close the door,” shouted Dad. Indirect: Dad told me to close the door.

Rule #2 Rule Examples Use a comma before and after the direct quotation in a sentence. Commas always go inside quotation marks Jared said, “It’s the third house on the right,” and then he hung up the phone.

Rule #3 Rule Examples Use a comma to interrupt direct quotations or before or after a direct quotation. “Why,” I asked, “must you leave?” “I’m leaving,” replied Sam, “because I have to work in the morning,”

Rule #4 Rule Examples Capitalize the first letter of the quotation (what the person is saying). If the quotation is divided with a speech tag, only capitalize what comes after if it’s a new sentence. Ms. Mourdock said, “Peanut butter cups are the best snack.” “My wish is that we had some more.”

Rule #5 Rule Examples When two or more people are having a conversation, begin a new paragraph and indent EACH TIME you change speakers. “I wish today were Friday,” she said. “How come?” he asked. “Because I’m finally supposed to get my braces off!” she exclaimed.

Rule #6 Rule Examples When a question is asked inside quotations, use a question mark instead of a comma. In the case of a statement, always use a comma in place of the period. “When are you coming?” asked Jo. “I’ll be there on Friday,” I said.

Rule #7 Rule Examples Use quotation marks for titles of publications that are parts of bigger publications. The bigger publication is underlined or written in italics. quotation marks: stories, songs, poems, articles, television episodes underline: books, albums, magazines, periodicals, television shows

Rule #8 Rule Examples When a question ends with a title in quotations, place the question mark outside of the quotation marks. This is the only time that punctuation is placed outside of the quotation marks.. Do 6th graders still like the song, “Let It Go”?