Punctuating Dialogue

Front

What is dialogue punctuation?

Back

Dialogue punctuation refers to the use of quotation marks, commas, and other punctuation marks to indicate spoken words in writing.

Front

When do you use quotation marks in dialogue?

Back

Quotation marks are used to enclose the exact words spoken by a character.

Front

What punctuation mark is used to indicate the end of a spoken sentence in dialogue?

Back

An exclamation mark (!) or a question mark (?) is used to indicate the end of a spoken sentence in dialogue.

Front

How do you punctuate dialogue that is interrupted?

Back

Use a comma before the closing quotation mark and continue the sentence after the interruption.

Front

What is the correct punctuation for this sentence: Mark said, 'I will go.'

Back

Mark said, 'I will go.'

Front

How do you punctuate a question in dialogue?

Back

Place the question mark inside the quotation marks if the spoken words are a question.

Front

What is the correct way to write: 'I can't believe it,' she said?

Back

The correct way is: 'I can't believe it,' she said.

Front

What punctuation follows the dialogue tag in a sentence?

Back

A comma is used before the closing quotation mark in most cases.

Front

How do you punctuate dialogue when a character speaks for more than one sentence?

Back

Keep the opening quotation mark at the beginning of each sentence and only close the quotation marks at the end of the final sentence.

Front

What is the rule for punctuating dialogue with a tag at the beginning?

Back

If the dialogue tag is at the beginning, use a comma before the opening quotation mark.