Punctuating Quotations

Punctuating dialogue

Multiple Choice

True of false: This sentence is formatted correctly.

My mom said to them "put on your shoes and let's go to the car."

• True

• False

Basics of Punctuating Dialogue

• Rule 1: Quotes ALWAYS AND ONLY goes around words or lines that are the exact words spoken by a character or individual

• "Mr. Hirner, this makes perfect sense"

• "I can't believe she told you that"

• Rule 1 Part B: Quotes do not go around thoughts that a person or character has

• I was wondering whether I heard Laurel or Yanny.

• I thought about how much fun we would have learning grammar.

Rule 2: Comma after or before any lines that explain who is talking.

• He said, "quote"

• After a long pause he responded with, "quote"

• "quote," exclaimed Tom when he saw the puppy

• "quote," shouted Paul.

• Line comes before the quote - comma stays outside

• Lines comes after the quote - comma stays inside the quote

Rule 3: Normally you will capitalize the first letter that starts the quote

• Clara made the group feel safe when she said, "Don't worry everyone, I have my chain"

• The boys shouted, "Bring more leaves over here"

• Rule 3 Part B: If the quote flows with the sentence and is used to complete a thought then it will not be capitalized in the beginning

• I realized that "ninety minutes is a long time with mask on"

• He said that "everything will be alright"

Rule 4: Any end punctuation should mostly stay inside the quotes.

• He asked Uncle Joe "how come you never attend family reunions?"

• "Wow, we got a new puppy!" exclaimed my sister.