Quotation Marks in Dialogue

Front

What are quotation marks used for in writing?

Back

Quotation marks are used to indicate the exact words spoken by a person or to denote a quotation.

Front

How do you punctuate dialogue with quotation marks?

Back

The spoken words are enclosed in quotation marks, and punctuation marks such as commas, periods, and question marks are placed inside the quotation marks if they are part of the spoken words.

Front

What is the correct placement of quotation marks in a sentence?

Back

Quotation marks should be placed around the exact words spoken, and any dialogue tags (like 'he said' or 'she asked') should be outside the quotation marks.

Front

What is a dialogue tag?

Back

A dialogue tag is a phrase that attributes the spoken words to a speaker, such as 'he said' or 'she asked'.

Front

When should you start a new paragraph in dialogue?

Back

You should start a new paragraph each time a different character speaks.

Front

What is the purpose of using quotation marks in dialogue?

Back

Quotation marks help to clarify who is speaking and to separate spoken words from the rest of the text.

Front

Can quotation marks be used for emphasis?

Back

Yes, quotation marks can be used to indicate irony or to emphasize a word or phrase, but this usage is less common.

Front

What is the difference between single and double quotation marks?

Back

Double quotation marks are typically used for direct speech, while single quotation marks are often used for quotes within quotes.

Front

How do you handle punctuation when a sentence ends with a quote?

Back

If the quoted material ends with a punctuation mark, that punctuation should be included inside the quotation marks.

Front

What should you do if a quote is interrupted by a dialogue tag?

Back

If a quote is interrupted by a dialogue tag, use a comma before the closing quotation mark, and start the second part of the quote with a lowercase letter unless it begins with a proper noun.