Giving Your Character Giving Your Character LifeLife

By Using Quotation MarksBy Using Quotation Marks

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The expression identifying the The expression identifying the speaker is called a speaker is called a speakerspeaker’’s tag.s tag.

Use quotation marks to enclose Use quotation marks to enclose a a direct quotationdirect quotation – – a persona person’’s s exact wordsexact words..

Our team leader says, Our team leader says, ““I try to I try to practice every day.practice every day.””

““LetLet’’s go home,s go home,”” Jeanne suggested. Jeanne suggested.©2014HappyEdugator

A directly quoted sentence A directly quoted sentence begins with a capital letter.begins with a capital letter.

Mrs. Talbot said, Mrs. Talbot said, ““PPlease get a lease get a pencil.pencil.””

Kristina asked is it my turnKristina asked is it my turn©2014HappyEdugator

Direct QuotationsDirect Quotations

Answer: Answer:

Kristina asked, “Kristina asked, “IIs it my s it my turn?”turn?”

Quote at the Beginning…Quote at the Beginning… If a quotation mark comes at the If a quotation mark comes at the

beginning of a sentence, a comma, beginning of a sentence, a comma, question mark, or exclamation question mark, or exclamation point usually follows it.point usually follows it.

““Dogs make better pets than cats doDogs make better pets than cats do,,”” said Jared.said Jared.

““Have you ever had a catHave you ever had a cat??”” Emily asked. Emily asked. ““No, and I never willNo, and I never will!! ”” he replied. he replied.

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Quote at the Beginning…Quote at the Beginning… If a quotation mark comes at the If a quotation mark comes at the

beginning of a sentence, a comma, beginning of a sentence, a comma, question mark, or exclamation question mark, or exclamation point usually follows it.point usually follows it.

I’m going to the store now said JaredI’m going to the store now said Jared What are you going to be for What are you going to be for

Halloween Emily askedHalloween Emily asked No way he repliedNo way he replied

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Quote at the Beginning…Quote at the Beginning…

““I’m going to the store now,” said I’m going to the store now,” said Jared.Jared.

““What are you going to be for What are you going to be for Halloween?” Emily asked.Halloween?” Emily asked.

““No way!” he replied.No way!” he replied.

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Quote at the End…Quote at the End…

If a quotation comes at the end If a quotation comes at the end of a sentence, a comma usually of a sentence, a comma usually comes before it.comes before it.

Terra askedTerra asked,, ““What makes you say What makes you say that?that?””

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Quote at the End…Quote at the End…

If a quotation comes at the end If a quotation comes at the end of a sentence, a comma usually of a sentence, a comma usually comes before it.comes before it.

Terra asked what is your favorite TV Terra asked what is your favorite TV showshow

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Answer:Answer:

Terra asked, “Terra asked, “WWhat is your favorite TV hat is your favorite TV show?”show?”

Split DialogueSplit Dialogue When an expression identifying the When an expression identifying the

speaker interrupts a quoted sentence, speaker interrupts a quoted sentence, the second part of the quotation the second part of the quotation begins with a lowercase letter.begins with a lowercase letter.

““Will you take care of my lawn and Will you take care of my lawn and pets,pets,”” asked Mr. Franklin,asked Mr. Franklin, ““wwhile Ihile I’’m on m on vacation next month?vacation next month?””

* The expression identifying the * The expression identifying the speaker is called a speaker is called a speakerspeaker’’s tag.s tag.

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Split DialogueSplit Dialogue

If a quoted sentence is divided, a If a quoted sentence is divided, a comma usually follows the first comma usually follows the first part and comes before the part and comes before the second part.second part.

““I would love toI would love to,,” I replied” I replied,, “but I “but I really need to get homereally need to get home..””

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OK class said the teacher tomorrow OK class said the teacher tomorrow we will learn more about continentswe will learn more about continents

““OK class,” said the teacher, OK class,” said the teacher, “tomorrow we will learn more about “tomorrow we will learn more about continents.”continents.”

Punctuation inside Punctuation inside QuotesQuotes

A period or a comma should A period or a comma should alwaysalways be placed inside the be placed inside the quotation marks.quotation marks.

““I canI can’’t wait to see Shirley Caesart wait to see Shirley Caesar’’s s new videonew video,,”” James said. James said. ““ItIt’’s s supposed to come out next weeksupposed to come out next week.. ””

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The EndThe End