*A direct quotation is a speaker’s exact words. Use quotation marks at the beginning and at the end
of a direct quotation.
“These games are a challenge,” Joe declared.
*Use commas to set off the explanatory words used with a direct quotation, at the beginning,
middle, or end of the quotation.
Jose declared, “These games are a challenge.”
“These games,” Joe declared, “are a challenge.”
*If the quotation itself is a question or exclamation, the question mark or exclamation point falls inside the end quotation marks. Commas and periods always go inside the end quotation marks.
“Oh no!” Nina cried. “Where’s my notebook?”
*If the quotation is part of a question or an exclamation, the question mark or exclamation point falls outside the end quotation marks.
Did Francesca say, “Buy me a gold sweater”?
*A divided quotation is a direct quotation that is divided into two parts by explanatory words. Both parts are enclosed in quotation marks. The first word in the second part is not capitalized
unless it begins a sentence.
"This song," Shannon cried, "is my favorite."
"Gavin is awesome!" Payton said. "He always helps me with my homework."
*A dialogue is a conversation between two or more speakers. In writing a dialogue, indicate a change in speaker by using a new paragraph and new set of quotation marks.
“Sunita,” Anne asked, “are these the pants you bought last week?”
“Yes, they were such a bargain,” Sunita answered.
*An indirect quotation is a restatement, in somewhat different words, of what someone said. Do not use quotation marks to set off an indirect quotation.
The cashier said that the stor was really busy this morning.
of a direct quotation.
“These games are a challenge,” Joe declared.
*Use commas to set off the explanatory words used with a direct quotation, at the beginning,
middle, or end of the quotation.
Jose declared, “These games are a challenge.”
“These games,” Joe declared, “are a challenge.”
*If the quotation itself is a question or exclamation, the question mark or exclamation point falls inside the end quotation marks. Commas and periods always go inside the end quotation marks.
“Oh no!” Nina cried. “Where’s my notebook?”
*If the quotation is part of a question or an exclamation, the question mark or exclamation point falls outside the end quotation marks.
Did Francesca say, “Buy me a gold sweater”?
*A divided quotation is a direct quotation that is divided into two parts by explanatory words. Both parts are enclosed in quotation marks. The first word in the second part is not capitalized
unless it begins a sentence.
"This song," Shannon cried, "is my favorite."
"Gavin is awesome!" Payton said. "He always helps me with my homework."
*A dialogue is a conversation between two or more speakers. In writing a dialogue, indicate a change in speaker by using a new paragraph and new set of quotation marks.
“Sunita,” Anne asked, “are these the pants you bought last week?”
“Yes, they were such a bargain,” Sunita answered.
*An indirect quotation is a restatement, in somewhat different words, of what someone said. Do not use quotation marks to set off an indirect quotation.
The cashier said that the stor was really busy this morning.