Quotations and Quotation Marks

Direct Quotation

A direct quotation gives a person’s exact words and is enclosed in quotation marks (“ ”).

DQ Punctuation

Direct quotations begin with capital letters and end with proper punctuation.

End punctuation is inside the closing quotation marks.

Words that tell who is speaking are set off from the quotation by punctuation.

Examples

Jamie asked, “What was the Titanic?”

When the quotation comes last in a sentence, set it off with a comma.

Examples “It was the largest passenger ship in the

world,” replied May. “It was enormous!” she added.

When the quotation comes first in a sentence, a comma, question mark, or exclamation mark sets off the quotation.

Examples “It was built in Belfast, Ireland,” she

added, “over a two year period.”

When the quotation is interrupted by words that tell who is speaking, use two sets of quotation marks.

Notice that words telling who is speaking are followed by punctuation. Use a comma if the second part of the quotation does not begin a new sentence.

Examples

“What happened to the Titanic ?” asked Jamie. “Is it still in existence today?”

Use end punctuation and a capital letter if the second part of the quotation does begin a new sentence.

Practice (write on the tv screen with an erasable marker)

I’m going on a hot-air balloon ride said Sherry.

Practice

Wow that’s so cool exclaimed Phil.

Practice

He asked earnestly do you think I could come too.

Practice

I’ll ask my dad Sherry said.

Practice

What is it like inquired Phil.

Practice

She replied dreamily it’s like floating on a cloud.

Practice

The buildings and cars below look like toys she continued.

Practice

How do you make it go up and down asked Phil.

Practice

A burner heats the air explained Sherry.

Practice

More hot air takes you up she said and less takes you down.