Punctuating Dialogue

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What is dialogue punctuation?

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Dialogue punctuation refers to the rules and conventions used to punctuate spoken words in writing, ensuring clarity and proper attribution to the speaker.

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How do you punctuate a dialogue tag?

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A dialogue tag is punctuated with a comma before the closing quotation marks if it follows the spoken words. For example: "I love reading," she said.

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What is the correct punctuation for a quote followed by a dialogue tag?

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The quote should end with a comma inside the quotation marks if followed by a dialogue tag. Example: "It's a beautiful day," he said.

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When should you use a period instead of a comma in dialogue?

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Use a period instead of a comma when the dialogue is followed by a complete sentence. Example: "I will see you tomorrow." He waved goodbye.

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What is the rule for capitalizing the first word in a dialogue?

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The first word of a dialogue should be capitalized if it starts a new sentence or follows a dialogue tag.

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How do you punctuate interrupted dialogue?

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Use dashes to indicate interruptions in dialogue. Example: "I was going to say—" she started, but he cut her off.

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What is a direct quote?

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A direct quote is the exact words spoken by a person, enclosed in quotation marks.

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How do you handle quotes within quotes?

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Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Example: "He said, 'I will be there soon.'"

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What is the purpose of using ellipses in dialogue?

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Ellipses indicate a pause or an unfinished thought in dialogue. Example: "I just thought that... well, maybe we should wait."

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What is a dialogue tag?

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A dialogue tag is a phrase that attributes spoken words to a speaker, often using verbs like 'said' or 'asked'.