Why are quotation marks important?
Direct quotations
Dialogue, quoted passages, and quotations within quotations
Quotation marks for titles
Review A
Review B
Using Quotation Marks
Why are quotation marks important?
In everyday conversation, it’s easy to tell who said what.
Do you have a favorite writer?
I really like Edgar Allan Poe.
Why are quotation marks important?
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In writing, the only way we can show exactly who is speaking, and when, is by the use of quotation marks.
Do you have a favorite writer? Jaime asked.
I really like Edgar Allan Poe, said Maria.
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Direct quotations
Use quotation marks to enclose a direct quotation—a person’s exact words.
Rita said, “This car is making a strange noise.”
“Maybe we should pull over,” suggested Amy.
Direct quotations
When an interrupting expression divides a direct quotation into two parts, place quotation marks around both parts of the quoted statement.
“I want to sit here,” Anna said, “not over there.”
“Let’s compromise,” said Sylvia. “We’ll sit in one of the middle rows.”
One quoted sentence with an interrupting expression
New quoted sentence following the interrupting expression
Direct quotations
“Your Julius Caesar project is due on the Ides of March,” Mr. Chen announced.
“On what date does the Ides of March fall?” Tony asked.
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.
“That’s easy!” Dorothy exclaimed. “It’s March 15!”
Comma
Question mark
Exclamation point
Direct quotations
Place commas and periods inside the closing quotation marks.
“I haven’t seen the movie yet,” remarked Juan, “but I’ve heard it’s excellent.”
Direct quotations
Place semicolons and colons outside the closing quotation marks.
The Greek philosopher Socrates once said, “As for me, all I know is that I know nothing”; this is one reason people consider him a wise man.
The following students have been named “most likely to succeed”: Corey Baxter and Sally Ling.
Direct quotations
Place question marks and exclamation points inside the closing quotation marks if the quotation itself is a question or an exclamation.
“Is it cold in here?” the server asked.
“Yes!” I answered. “Please turn down the air conditioner!”
The quoted sentence is a question.
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.
Why did you say to her, “It doesn’t matter”?
It’s not an insult to be called a “bookworm”!
The quoted part is not a question, but the whole sentence is.
The quoted part is not an exclamation, but the whole sentence is.
Add quotation marks where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. We should visit some castles while we are in England, Mom suggested.
2. Our guide said, Warwick Castle is one of the most beautiful.
3. Jason asked, Are any of the castles haunted?
4. No, said Mom, but we’ll stay close together.
5. Did Jason say, I like the collection of suits of armor best?
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On Your Own
Direct quotations
Dialogue, quoted passages, and quotations within quotations
When you write dialogue (conversation), begin a new paragraph every time the speaker changes.
“Sounds good to me. Meet me back here in about half an hour.”
“In about thirty minutes,” Mel answered. “Sure,” said Sergio. “May I bring my dog, Rufus? He
could use some exercise.”
“Do you want to go to the park today?” Mel asked.
For a quoted passage with several paragraphs, put quotation marks at the beginning of each paragraph and at the end of the last paragraph.
“Now, this car is one of our hottest sellers. It has bucket seats, a built-in DVD player, and alloy wheels.
“It’s also one of the safest cars on the road because of its heavy suspension and antilock brake system. It gets good gas mileage, too.
“All in all, I think this would be the perfect car
for you.”
Dialogue, quoted passages, and quotations within quotations
Use single quotation marks to enclose a quotation within a quotation.
Helena told me, “It was Ron who said, ‘Parrots make great pets.’”
Ron said, “My parrot can say, ‘I’m a pretty bird.’ Do you want to hear it?”
Dialogue, quoted passages, and quotations within quotations
On Your Own
Correct the following passage by adding quotation marks and single quotation marks where needed. Also show where each new paragraph should begin.
I can’t wait for our camping trip! Alicia exclaimed. It’s going to be so much fun. Don’t forget, responded her brother Brian, Dad said that we have to help make a list and pack all the essentials. I know, said Alicia, and wasn’t it Mom who said, Make sure you’re prepared or you can’t go along?
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Dialogue, quoted passages, and quotations within quotations
Quotation marks for titles
Use quotation marks to enclose titles of short works such as short stories, poems, essays, articles, songs, and chapters and other parts of books and periodicals.
“The Pit and the Pendulum”Short story
“Fire and Ice”Poem
“Charley in Yellowstone”Essay
On Your Own
Correct each sentence by adding quotation marks where needed.
1. Mr. Guerra explained that the story Luke Baldwin’s Vow deals with conflicts in values.
2. Kim’s report, which she titled The Wit of Oscar Wilde, includes quotations from the short story The Happy Prince.
3. I think Words to Live By would be an excellent title for our song.
4. Next, read the chapter titled Talk of the Town.
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Quotation marks for titles
Review A
Add quotation marks and single quotation marks where they are needed in the following sentences.
1. Ms. Loudon said, I enjoyed your poem.
2. I read Kurt Vonnegut’s short story Harrison Bergeron last week.
3. Maybe, Max said, I’ll check out this grand opening.
4. Have you read Fran Lebowitz’s essay Tips for Teens?
5. I think Teresa really meant it when she yelled, Stay out! said Julia.
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Review B
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Correct the following passage by adding quotation marks where needed. Also show where each new paragraph should begin.
Before our field trip begins, continued Mrs. Garcia, be sure you have a notebook and pen. Will we need binoculars? asked Melvin. Leave your binoculars at home, answered Mrs. Garcia. Your ears will be more helpful than your eyes on this trip. That’s right! exclaimed Felicia. We’re going to see how many bird calls we can identify.
The End
