Quotation Mark + Dialogue Rules

Front

What is the correct way to punctuate dialogue?

Back

Dialogue should be enclosed in quotation marks, and punctuation should be placed inside the quotation marks. For example: "I love basketball," said Josie.

Front

What is a dialogue tag?

Back

A dialogue tag is a phrase that attributes the dialogue to a speaker, often using verbs like 'said' or 'asked'. For example: "Let's go to the park," she said.

Front

When should you capitalize the first word in dialogue?

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The first word of a dialogue should always be capitalized, regardless of where it appears in a sentence.

Front

How do you punctuate a question in dialogue?

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If the dialogue is a question, place a question mark inside the quotation marks. For example: "What time is it?" asked John.

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in dialogue?

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Commas are used to separate the dialogue from the dialogue tag. For example: "I can't wait," she said.

Front

What should you do if a dialogue tag interrupts a sentence?

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If a dialogue tag interrupts a sentence, use commas before and after the tag. For example: "I think," he said, "that we should leave now."

Front

What is the rule for punctuation at the end of dialogue?

Back

If the dialogue is followed by a dialogue tag, use a comma before the closing quotation mark. If it ends with a period, question mark, or exclamation point, that punctuation goes inside the quotation marks.

Front

How do you format dialogue in a new paragraph?

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Each new speaker's dialogue should start on a new line or paragraph to clearly indicate who is speaking.

Front

What is the correct way to write a statement in dialogue?

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A statement in dialogue should end with a period inside the quotation marks if it is not followed by a dialogue tag. For example: "I love reading."

Front

What is the importance of indentation in dialogue?

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Indentation helps to visually separate dialogue from the rest of the text, making it easier for readers to follow the conversation.