1. Quotation Marks

2. Direct Quotations A direct quotation is the exact words someone says.
Use quotation marks at the beginning and end of a direct quotation.
Ex. “Line up in the hall,” said the teacher.

3. Direct Quotations
Use commas to set off explanatory words (at the beginning or end)
Ex. Her mom said, “Don’t go outside until I get home.”
“Don’t go outside until I get home,” said her mom.

4. Direct Quotations
If a quotation is a question or an exclamation, use a question mark or an exclamation point instead of a comma.
Ex. “Have we hit an iceberg?” a crewman asked.
Ex. “We hit an iceberg!” the crewman yelled.

5. Divided Quotations
Do not capitalize the first word of the second part of a divided quotation unless it begins a new sentence.
Ex. “ENIAC,” said Todd, “was constructed of 18,000 vacuum tubes and nearly filled an entire building.”
Ex. Hmmm, that’s interesting,” answered Todd. “My brother would have no place to put all his CDs.”

6. Paragraphs
Every time you switch speakers, you must start a new paragraph.
Ex.
“Why are you running?” the girl asked nervously.
“If I stop, Big Foot will catch me,” the boy replied seriously.

7. Indirect Quotations
An indirect quotation tells what someone said using different words.
Do not use quotation marks for indirect quotations.
Ex. Her mom told her not to go outside.