Using Quotation Marks Why are quotation marks important? Direct quotations Dialogue Quotations within quotations Quotation marks for titles Review A Review B

Why are quotation marks important? When you talk with your friends or family, it’s easy to tell who said what. Did you finish your essay yet? No, but I’ll be done soon.

Why are quotation marks important? In writing, the only way to tell exactly who is speaking, and when, is by the quotation marks. “ No, but I’ll be done soon, said Paul. ” Did you finish your essay yet? Lynn asked. “ ” [End of Section]

Direct quotations Use quotation marks to enclose a direct quotation—a person’s exact words. Mimi said, “Reptiles are my favorite animals.” “Are turtles considered reptiles?,” asked Brian.

Grammar Gal Says... Direct quotations Do not use quotation marks for an indirect quotation—a rewording of a direct quotation. Grammar Gal Says... Juan said, “The bus was late today.” Direct quotation Juan said that the bus was late today. Indirect quotation

Direct quotations When an interrupting expression divides a direct quotation into two parts, place quotation marks around both parts of the quoted statement. “Will you take care of my pets,” Mr. Yates asked, “while I’m on vacation?” One quoted sentence with an interrupting expression “Yes, I will,” said Ted. “You can count on me.” New quoted sentence following the interrupting expression

Direct quotations A direct quotation can be set off from the rest of a sentence by a comma, a question mark, or an exclamation point, but not by a period. “Dogs make better pets than cats do,” said Frank. Comma Question mark “Have you ever had a cat?” Amy asked. Exclamation point “No, and I never will!” he replied.

Direct quotations Place commas and periods inside the closing quotation marks. “The wildlife park opens at 9:00,” Aunt Jenny announced. Mason said, “I think you’ll like learning about the animals.”

Direct quotations Place question marks and exclamation points inside the closing quotation marks if the quotation itself is a question or an exclamation. “Does anyone want to go swimming?” Maria asked. The quoted sentence is a question. “Yes!” I answered. “Let’s leave now!” Both direct quotations are exclamations.

Direct quotations If the quotation itself is not a question or an exclamation, place the question mark or exclamation point outside the quotation marks. What made Janice say, “I don’t even care anymore”? The quoted part is not a question, but the whole sentence is. I couldn’t believe it when Jeff said, “I’ll go with you”! The quoted part is not an exclamation, but the whole sentence is.

Grammar Gal Says... ?” Direct quotations Sometimes both the whole sentence and the quotation are questions (or exclamations). Grammar Gal Says... Who asked, “Where’s the key ?” Use just one question mark (or exclamation point), and place it inside the closing quotation marks.

Direct quotations Add quotation marks where they are needed in the following sentences. 1. Jared said, I’ll bring the sandwiches. 2. May I go with you? Brenda asked. 3. Look at that lizard! Rich yelled. It’s huge! 4. Let’s find some seats, suggested Marta, before the theater gets too crowded.

Direct quotations Add quotation marks where they are needed in the following sentences. “ ” 1. Jared said, I’ll bring the sandwiches. The quotation marks go before and after the direct quotation. The period is placed inside the closing quotation marks.

Direct quotations Add quotation marks where they are needed in the following sentences. “ ” 2. May I go with you? Brenda asked. The quotation marks go before and after the direct quotation. The question mark is placed inside the closing quotation marks because the quotation itself is a question.

“ ” “ ” Direct quotations Add quotation marks where they are needed in the following sentences. “ ” “ ” 3. Look at that lizard! Rich yelled. It’s huge! Quotation marks must enclose both parts of the direct quotation. Both exclamation points go inside the closing quotation marks because the quotations themselves are exclamations.

” “ “ ” Direct quotations Add quotation marks where they are needed in the following sentences. 4. Let’s find some seats, suggested Marta, before the theater gets too crowded. “ ” “ ” Quotation marks must enclose both parts of the direct quotation. Periods and commas go inside closing quotation marks.

Direct quotations On Your Own Add quotation marks where they are needed in the following sentences. We’re going tubing next Saturday, said Carlos. 2. I’d like to go along, said Barbara. 3. Eric asked, Who will bring tubes for everyone? 4. Barbara shouted, I’ll bring them! 5. My dad will drive, said Carlos. He has a van. 6. The water will feel good, Eric said, if Saturday is as hot as today. [End of Section]

“ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” ” “ “ ” Direct quotations Answers Add quotation marks where they are needed in the following sentences. We’re going tubing next Saturday, said Carlos. 2. I’d like to go along, said Barbara. 3. Eric asked, Who will bring tubes for everyone? 4. Barbara shouted, I’ll bring them! 5. My dad will drive, said Carlos. He has a van. 6. The water will feel good, Eric said, if Saturday is as hot as today. “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” ” “ “ ”

Dialogue When you write dialogue (a conversation), use quotation marks around each speaker’s words, and begin a new paragraph every time the speaker changes. “How long have you been making beaded jewelry?” Krista asked. “For a few years now,” Kim answered. “It’s a lot of fun.” “I would like to learn how to do that too,” said Krista.

Quotations within quotations Use single quotation marks to enclose a quotation within a quotation. Grammar Gal Says... Ron said, “I’m sure Mrs. Lowell said, ‘Read the book by next Tuesday.’” “Did Tracy really say, ‘I’ve read the whole book already’?” asked Evan.

Dialogue and quotations within quotations To correct each item, add quotation marks where needed. Also tell where each new paragraph should begin. 1. Mr. Betts asked, Can you baby-sit tonight? Sure, Meg said. I’d be happy to. Great, said Mr. Betts. Please be at our house at 6:30. 2. Who is your favorite character in Romeo and Juliet? I asked. It is Juliet, answered Li. My mother took me to the play last year. It was the first time I had seen the play.

Dialogue and quotations within quotations To correct each item, add quotation marks where needed. Also tell where each new paragraph should begin. 1. Mr. Betts asked, Can you baby-sit tonight? Sure, Meg said. I’d be happy to. Great, said Mr. Betts. Please be at our house at 6:30. “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ”

Dialogue and quotations within quotations To correct each item, add quotation marks where needed. Also tell where each new paragraph should begin. 2. Who is your favorite character in Romeo and Juliet? I asked. It is Juliet, answered Li. My mother took me to the play last year. It was the first time I had seen the play. “ ” “ ” “ ”

Dialogue and quotations within quotations On Your Own Correct the following passage by adding quotation marks where needed. Also tell where each new paragraph should begin. What’s that noise? Jack asked. It sounds spooky. I think it’s just the wind, Mia replied. No, whispered Karli. That sounds like an animal or something! Don’t be silly, said Mia. There’s nothing out there. What do you think, Carlos? asked Karli. Do you think it sounds spooky? [End of Section]

Dialogue and quotations within quotations Answers Correct the following passage by adding quotation marks where needed. Also tell where each new paragraph should begin. What’s that noise? Jack asked. It sounds spooky. I think it’s just the wind, Mia replied. No, whispered Karli. That sounds like an animal or something! Don’t be silly, said Mia. There’s nothing out there. What do you think, Carlos? asked Karli. Do you think it sounds spooky? ” “ “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ”

Quotation marks for titles Use quotation marks to enclose titles of short works such as short stories, poems, essays, articles, songs, and chapters from books. Short story “All Summer in a Day” Song “America the Beautiful” Book chapter “Landing on the Moon”

Quotation marks for titles For titles within quotations, use single quotation marks. Grammar Gal Says... “Robert Frost wrote the poem Birches, ” said Glenda. ‘ ’ James said, “We learned The Star-Spangled Banner in music class today.” ‘ ’

Quotation marks for titles Identify the title in each sentence. Then, correct the sentence by adding quotation marks where needed. 1. Mother’s favorite Langston Hughes poem is As I Grew Older. 2. There is an article titled The Giants of Easter Island in this magazine. 3. Dianne is learning the song This Little Rose for her recital.

Quotation marks for titles Identify the title in each sentence. Then correct the sentence by adding quotation marks where needed. 1. Mother’s favorite Langston Hughes poem is As I Grew Older. “ ” Poem title—As I Grew Older Enclose title in quotation marks.

Quotation marks for titles Identify the title in each sentence. Then correct the sentence by adding quotation marks where needed. 2. There is an article titled The Giants of Easter Island in this magazine. “ ” Title of magazine article—The Giants of Easter Island Enclose title in quotation marks.

Quotation marks for titles Identify the title in each sentence. Then correct the sentence by adding quotation marks where needed. 3. Dianne is learning the song This Little Rose for her recital. “ ” Song title—This Little Rose Enclose title in quotation marks.

Quotation marks for titles On Your Own Correct each sentence by adding quotation marks where needed. 1. The Fun They Had is one of Mrs. Banister’s favorite short stories. 2. I think The Toaster is the funniest poem I’ve ever read. 3. One article in the newspaper this morning is titled Black Scientists Make History. 4. She’s already read the chapter called Caring for Your Hamster. [End of Section]

Quotation marks for titles Answers Correct each sentence by adding quotation marks where needed. 1. The Fun They Had is one of Mrs. Banister’s favorite short stories. 2. I think The Toaster is the funniest poem I’ve ever read. 3. One article in the newspaper this morning is titled Black Scientists Make History. 4. She’s already read the chapter called Caring for Your Hamster. “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ”

Review A Add quotation marks where they are needed in the following sentences. 1. Ms. Fields asked, When is the Earth Day Festival? 2. Adam exclaimed, Look how tall those giant redwoods are! 3. I have read Robert Hayden’s poem Those Winter Sundays several times. 4. Tomorrow, Chang predicted, will be hot and sunny. 5. I’m sure Mary said to meet her at 2:00, said Steve. [End of Section]

Review A Add quotation marks where they are needed in the following sentences. 1. Ms. Fields asked, When is the Earth Day Festival? 2. Adam exclaimed, Look how tall those giant redwoods are! 3. I have read Robert Hayden’s poem Those Winter Sundays several times. 4. Tomorrow, Chang predicted, will be hot and sunny. 5. I’m sure Mary said to meet her at 2:00, said Steve. “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ”

Review B Correct the following passage by adding quotation marks where needed. Also tell where each new paragraph should begin. We’re starting a video game club, said Michael. Would you like to join us? That sounds like fun, replied Audra. What games are you going to play? We’re open to suggestions, said Michael. Well, Audra responded, I might just have some for you! [End of Section]

Review B “ ” “ ” “ “ ” ” “ ” “ ” “ ” Correct the following passage by adding quotation marks where needed. Also tell where each new paragraph should begin. We’re starting a video game club, said Michael. Would you like to join us? That sounds like fun, replied Audra. What games are you going to play? We’re open to suggestions, said Michael. Well, Audra responded, I might just have some for you! “ ” “ ” “ “ ” ” “ ” “ ” “ ”

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