Using Quotation Marks
Why are quotation marks important?
Direct quotations
Dialogue
Quotations within quotations
Quotation marks for titles
Review A
Review B
Why are quotation marks important?
When you talk with your friends or family, it’s easy
to tell who said what.
Did you finish
your essay
yet?
No, but I’ll be
done soon.
Why are quotation marks important?
In writing, the only way to tell exactly who is
speaking, and when, is by the quotation marks.
“ No, but I’ll be done soon,”
said Paul.
“Did you finish your essay
yet? ”Lynn asked.
[End of Section]
Direct quotations
Use quotation marks to enclose a direct
quotation—a person’s exact words.
Mimi said, “Reptiles are my favorite animals.”
“Are turtles considered reptiles?,” asked Brian.
Direct quotations
When an interrupting expression divides a direct
quotation into two parts, place quotation marks
around both parts of the quoted statement.
“Will you take care of my pets,” Mr. Yates asked,
“while I’m on vacation?”
One quoted sentence with an interrupting expression
“Yes, I will,” said Ted. “You can count on me.”
New quoted sentence following the interrupting expression
Direct quotations
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.
Comma
“Dogs make better pets than cats do,”
said Frank.
Question
mark
“Have you ever had a cat?” Amy asked.
Exclamation
point
“No, and I never will!” he replied.
Direct quotations
Place commas and periods inside the closing
quotation marks.
“The wildlife park opens at 9:00,”
Aunt Jenny announced.
Mason said, “I think you’ll like
learning about the animals.”
Direct quotations
Place question marks and exclamation points
inside the closing quotation marks if the quotation
itself is a question or an exclamation.
“Does anyone want to go swimming?”
Maria asked.
The quoted sentence is a question.
“Yes!” I answered. “Let’s leave now!”
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.
What made Janice say, “I don’t even care anymore”?
The quoted part is not a question, but the whole sentence
is.
I couldn’t believe it when Jeff said, “I’ll go with you”!
The quoted part is not an exclamation, but the whole
sentence is.
Direct quotations
On Your Own
Add quotation marks where they are needed in the
following sentences.
1. We’re going tubing next Saturday, said Carlos.
2. I’d like to go along, said Barbara.
3. Eric asked, Who will bring tubes for everyone?
4. Barbara shouted, I’ll bring them!
5. My dad will drive, said Carlos. He has a van.
6. The water will feel good, Eric said, if Saturday is
as hot as today.
[End of Section]
Dialogue
When you write dialogue (a conversation), use
quotation marks around each speaker’s words, and
begin a new paragraph every time the speaker
changes.
“How long have you been making
beaded jewelry?” Krista asked.
“For a few years now,” Kim
answered. “It’s a lot of fun.”
“I would like to learn how to do
that too,” said Krista.
Dialogue and quotations within quotations
On Your Own
Correct the following passage by adding quotation
marks where needed. Also tell where each new
paragraph should begin.
What’s that noise? Jack asked. It sounds spooky. I
think it’s just the wind, Mia replied. No, whispered Karli.
That sounds like an animal or something! Don’t be silly,
said Mia. There’s nothing out there. What do you think,
Carlos? asked Karli. Do you think it sounds spooky?
[End of Section]
Quotation marks for titles
Use quotation marks to enclose titles of short
works such as short stories, poems, essays,
articles, songs, and chapters from books.
Short
story
“All Summer in a Day”
Song
“America the Beautiful”
Book
chapter
“Landing on the Moon”
Quotation marks for titles
On Your Own
Correct each sentence by adding quotation marks
where needed.
1. The Fun They Had is one of Mrs. Banister’s
favorite short stories.
2. I think The Toaster is the funniest poem I’ve ever
read.
3. One article in the newspaper this morning is titled
Black Scientists Make History.
4. She’s already read the chapter called Caring for
Your Hamster.
[End of Section]
Review A
Add quotation marks where they are needed in the
following sentences.
1. Ms. Fields asked, When is the Earth Day Festival?
2. Adam exclaimed, Look how tall those giant
redwoods are!
3. I have read Robert Hayden’s poem Those Winter
Sundays several times.
4. Tomorrow, Chang predicted, will be hot and sunny.
5. I’m sure Mary said to meet her at 2:00, said Steve.
[End of Section]
Review B
Correct the following passage by adding quotation
marks where needed. Also tell where each new
paragraph should begin.
We’re starting a video game club, said Michael. Would
you like to join us? That sounds like fun, replied Audra.
What games are you going to play? We’re open to
suggestions, said Michael. Well, Audra responded, I
might just have some for you!
[End of Section]
The End