Using Quotation Marks

Quotation Marks

Who's talking?

• A direct quotation gives the speaker’s exact words and must be enclosed in quotation marks.

  The coach said, “I am calling a special practice.”

• An indirect quotation tells what the speaker said but not in his exact words.  It requires no quotation marks.

  The coach said that he is calling a special practice.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence below contains dialogue?

Alia came over on Saturday night. Georgia was so excited. When they were getting ready to leave, Alia asked her mom if she could stay the night. Her mom said, "Sure, as long as your aunt is okay with it."

• Alia came over on Saturday night.

• Georgia was so excited.

• When they were getting ready to leave, Alia asked her mom if she could stay the night.

• Her mom said, "Sure, as long as your aunt is okay with it."

Multiple Choice

The coach was angry when he yelled at us to get running.

• Direct quote

• Indirect quote

Multiple Choice

"Hurry up and lift your knees!" yelled Coach Smith.

• Direct quote

• Indirect quote

Multiple Choice

Ow, I hurt my knee, the runner whined.

• Direct quote

• indirect quote

, ! or ?

Use a comma to separate the dialogue tag or explanatory words (words that tell who spoke) from the direct quotation unless the quotation calls for a question mark or an exclamation point.

“Next Monday is a school holiday,” said Gordon.

“Are you sure?” asked Sally.

“I’m positive!” exclaimed Gordon.

Interrupted quotes

• Put quotation marks around both parts of a divided or interrupted quotation.

  “I’m going to the office,” said Alice, “to see the nurse.”

  “You’ll need a pass,” Mrs. Fero interrupted, “before you leave.”

  “It will be fine,” yelled Alice.  “The nurse knows me.”

Multiple Choice

Select the answer below that uses capitalization and punctuation correctly.

• It would be so nice, exclaimed Terry, if we had less questions.

• "It would be nice, exclaimed Terry, "if we had less questions."

• "It would be nice," exclaimed Terry, "if we had less questions."

• "It would be nice, exclaimed Terry, if we had less questions."

Multiple Choice

Select the answer below that uses capitalization and punctuation correctly.

• Its a good idea, explained Ben, too buy more books.

• It's a good idea, "explained Ben," to buy more books.

• "It's a good idea," explained Ben, "to buy more books."

• "Its a good idea," explained Ben, "too by more books.

Quoted element within a quote

• Use single marks for a quotation within a quotation.

  
  

  Jerry stood up and said, “It was President Teddy Roosevelt who said,  ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick.’”

  
  

  Mother said, “My favorite song will always be ‘Stardust.’”

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence with the correct use of quotation marks and punctuation.

• “You may sharpen your pencil” said the teacher

• You may sharpen your pencil, said the teacher.

• “You may sharpen your pencil,” said the teacher.

• “You may sharpen your pencil” said the teacher

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• "Who wants the last piece of apple pie?" asked grandma.

• "Who wants the last piece of apple pie?" Asked grandma.

• "Who wants the last piece of apple pie"? asked grandma.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence below uses quotation marks appropriately?

• "Which store do you want to go to?" asked Marie.

• Which store do you want to go to?" asked Marie.

• "Which store do you want to go to? asked Marie.

• Which store do you want to go to? asked Marie.

Multiple Choice

Select the answer below that uses capitalization and punctuation correctly. 

• My school is the best! shouted Polly.
• "My school is the best shouted Polly!"
• "My school is the best! shouted Polly."
• "My school is the best!" shouted Polly.

Multiple Choice

Select the answer below that uses capitalization and punctuation correctly.

• Tim yelled, "I really want an iPad!"

• Tim yelled, I really want an iPad!

• "Tim yelled, I really want an iPad!"

• Tim yelled, "i really want an ipad!"

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• Did she say, "We'll leave at 3:15?"

• Did she say, "We'll leave at 3:15"?

• Did she say, "We'll leave at 3:15."?