What did they say? How do you write that?

What do you already know? Look at the way the dialogue in the following paragraph is written. Study the way it is punctuated. Now, with a partner, write a punctuation rule for each separate way the dialogue is presented. Be specific. Let’s see what you KNOW.

“Oh my gosh!” exclaimed Missi, “Have you seen the new guitar in Guitar Hero?” She quickly unpacked the new sparkling guitar. She was excited to test it. Spring responded, “Yeah, I already have it at my house. It is pretty sweet.” Her family had stood in line at Best Buy to be the first in the neighborhood to have it. “Did I hear you say ‘Dad bought me the whole kit and kaboodle.’?” Missi felt a bit jealous. “I was just kiddin’,” laughed Spring. She loved frustrating Missi. The two of them quickly finished unpacking the game and promptly booted the DVD. “This totally ROCKS!” screamed both as the proceeded to play tunes the rest of the afternoon.

When are quotation marks used? Quotation marks are used in a number of ways: To set off the exact words of a speaker, To punctuate material quoted from another source, To punctuate words used in a special way, and To punctuate certain titles. (Kemper)

Why Add Dialogue?  Each person has a unique way of saying things.  Well written dialogue lets the reader hear the speaker’s personality and thoughts. Example: Message: Your new car is impressive. Speaker 1: “Whoa, Dad! Cool new wheels!” Speaker 2: “Nice coupe, Bill. I’ve always been a sedan man myself.” Speaker 3: “Such a fancy car, Son! Hope you didn’t spend too much.” (Kemper)

To Set Off a Speaker’s Exact Words.  Place quotation marks before and after a speaker’s words in dialogue. Only the exact words of the speaker are placed within quotation marks. Example: Maria said “I’ve decided to become a firefighter.” “A firefighter,” said Juan, “can help people in many ways.” (Kemper)

Punctuating Dialogue  Always place periods and commas inside quotation marks. Example: I don’t know,” said Lac. Lac said, “I don’t know.” (Kemper)

Practice  I don’t know, I said. Are you sure Ms. Lazarus knows about your plans?  Sure Bettina stated She even said I had a wonderful idea (Kemper)

How’d you do?  “I don’t know,” I said. “Are you sure Ms. Lazarus knows about your plans?”  “Sure,” Betting stated. “She even said I had a wonderful idea!”

Question Marks in Dialogue  Place an exclamation point or a question mark inside the quotation marks when it punctuates the quotation. Ms. Wiley asked, “Can you actually tour the Smithsonian on the Internet?”  Place it outside when it punctuates the main sentence. Did I hear you say, “How we can tour the Smithsonian on the Internet”? (Kemper)

To Set Off a Speaker’s Exact Words.  Place quotation marks before and after a speaker’s words in dialogue. Only the exact words of the speaker are placed within quotation marks. Example: Maria said “I’ve decided to become a firefighter.” “A firefighter,” said Juan, “can help people in many ways.” (Kemper)

Practice Pt. 2  What do you know about Chicago I asked.  I want to see Buckingham Fountain, the Sears Tower, and Navy Pier Dan said  Are you going to go shopping for some souvenirs on Michigan Avenue I teased  Oh, yeah Dan winked (Kemper)

How’d you do?  “What do you know about Chicago?” I asked.  “I want to see Buckingham Fountain, the Sears Tower, and Navy Pier,” Dan said.  “Are you going to go shopping for some souvenirs on Michigan Avenue?” I teased.  “Oh, yeah!” Dan winked.

Indenting Indent every time a different person speaks. Yes, it takes more paper, but it is the right way! (Kemper)

(Lowry, 6)

Practice: Bringing It All Together

How’d you do? 1. “He’s actually a pretty good goalie if you kick it soft and right at him,” he explained. 2. “Do you have one with 3000 SPF?” asked Count.

How’d you do? 3. “Caucasian…Asian…African-American… American Indian…Hispanic?” questioned Kiddo.“Which one of these do I check?” “You check other and write in Martian,” teased Toby. “Thanks,” Kiddo replied. “Toby!” admonished Mother. “What? That’s what I do!” explained Toby.

How’d you do? 4. “You take yourself too seriously, Eeyore,” explained Pooh. “You mean I should laught at myself, Pooh?” wondered Eeyore. “Why not?” replied Pooh. “Everyone else does.”

How’d you do? “Oh for Pete’s sake. Will you tell Milligan it’s HIS turn to clean the bird doo off of the telescope lens?” remarked Mr. Astronomer.

Works Cited  Kemper, D., Sebranek, P., & Meyer, V. (2009). Write Source Teacher's Edition Grade 7. Wilmington, MA: Great Source Education Group.  Lowry, L. (1993). The Giver (p. 6). New York: Delacorte Press. Retrieved August 28, 2009, from gp57wJ8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=su bject:%22+Science+Fiction+%22&as_br r=3&rview=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false