1. Punctuating Dialogue 7 th Grade Language Arts

2. GOLDEN RULE Punctuation must always go BEFORE the quotation marks!

3. Direct Quotations A direct quotation is a report of a speaker’s exact words. Use quotation marks at the beginning and end of a direct quotation. “Movies about aliens are interesting,” Jeff said.

4. Using Commas Use commas to set off the explanatory words used with a direct quotation. Jeff said, “Movies about aliens are interesting.” “Movies about aliens,” Jeff said, “are interesting.”

5. Other Punctuation If the quotation itself is a question or an exclamation, the question mark or exclamation point falls inside the end quotation marks. “Wow!” Olivia exclaimed. “Did you read that book about UFOs yet?”

6. Let’s Practice Please complete the practice exercises below your notes.