1. Narrative Writing: Punctuating Dialogue

2. Narrative Writing: a story of event(s)
Strong narratives show a story of a time or event that is…..

3. dialogue: quoting directly stated words
“One line of dialogue is worth paragraphs of
description. No matter what you say about a
character, if he doesn’t speak, he hasn’t truly
come alive.”
|Leslie Epstein|
Director of Creative Writing Program at Boston University

4. 1. Begin a new quotation with a capital letter. “Get in the car–now
1. Begin a new quotation with a capital letter. “Get in the car–now!” she commanded. She commanded, “Get in the car–now!” Note: do not use quotation marks in an indirect quotation (not the speaker’s exact words). She commanded that we get into the car.

5. 2. Use a variety of TAG verbs, other than said, to
emphasize the feeling of the quotation or the
intention of the speaker/writer.
acknowledges concludes points out
admits declares refutes
agrees denies reports
argues finds says
asserts grants shows
believes implies states
comments insists suggests
concedes maintains thinks
claims notes writes

6. “I want to go to the play with Tim,” she___________.
What TAG can you use to convey that she is…..
-content
-angry
-happy

7. Many times no “tag” is needed because the speaker is clearly recognizable: Tom turned to Martha. “Did you go to Dance for IPADs?” “Yes, I can’t wait to use those IPADs!” she replied. “Me too!” “I hope we can use twitter on the IPADs!” “Hashtag I love school!” Martha exclaimed.

8. 3. Place commas and periods inside the quotations
3. Place commas and periods inside the quotations. Place a question mark, exclamation point inside the closing quotation marks when it is part of the quotation. “Are the groups ready to present?” inquired Ms. Kasten.

9. PICTURES: Create your own dialogue using correct punctuation
Remember:
Quotation marks are used for words directly stated
Begin a new quotation with a capital letter
Commas, periods, exclamation points, and question marks are inside the quotation when it is part of the quotation
You must use a variety of TAG verbs- do not use the same one twice!