Punctuating Dialogue

Front

What is the purpose of quotation marks in dialogue?

Back

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

Front

How should a dialogue sentence be punctuated when it starts with a quote?

Back

The first part of the sentence should end with a comma before the closing quotation mark.

Front

What punctuation follows a dialogue tag when it comes before the quote?

Back

A comma is used before the opening quotation mark.

Front

How do you punctuate a sentence that ends with a quote and a question mark?

Back

The question mark goes inside the quotation marks if it is part of the quoted material.

Front

What is the correct way to capitalize the first word in a quote?

Back

The first word of a quote should be capitalized if it is a complete sentence.

Front

What punctuation is used to indicate a pause in dialogue?

Back

Ellipses (...) can be used to indicate a pause or unfinished thought in dialogue.

Front

How do you punctuate dialogue that is interrupted by a tag?

Back

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

Front

What is the correct punctuation for a quote that ends with an exclamation?

Back

The exclamation mark goes inside the quotation marks.

Front

How should you punctuate a quote that is a question?

Back

The question mark should be placed inside the quotation marks if the quoted material is a question.

Front

What is the rule for capitalizing the first word after a dialogue tag?

Back

The first word after a dialogue tag should be lowercase unless it is a proper noun.