Quotation Marks

When you write a direct quotation, you write a speaker’s exact words. Use quotation marks to set apart a speaker’s words from the rest of the sentence.

“Please open your books now,” said Mr. Emory.Then he said, “We’re ready to begin.”

Notice that you begin a direct quotation with a capital letter. You use a comma to separate the quotation from the rest of the sentence.

“Please open your books now,” said Mr. Emory.Then he said, “We’re ready to begin.”

Place question marks and exclamation points that belong to the quotation inside the quotation marks.

“Where is Tasmania?” asked the teacher.Ralph said, “I know where it is!”

Place question marks and exclamation points that do not belong to the quotation outside the quotation marks.

Did Ralph say, “It is near Australia”?

The question is not part of the

quote.

Always place periods and commas inside the quotation marks.

“Please open your books now,” said Mr. Emory.Then he said, “We’re ready to begin.”

This example shows how to punctuate a divided quotation that is all one sentence. The first letter of the second part of the quotation is not capitalized.

“Here,” Kim replied, “is Tasmania.”

Notice, however, that when a divided quotation is two separate sentences, you must capitalize the first word of the second part.

“Here is Tasmania,” she said. “It is off the southeastern coast of Australia.”

An indirect quotation tells what someone said without using the speaker’s exact words. Do not use quotation marks around indirect quotations.

Kim said that Tasmania is off the coast of Australia.Ralph asked if he could look at the map.

Bellwork 3/24Add commas, quotation marks, and capital letters where needed.1. Mr. Romero asked is Australia

a country?2. Yes replied Lauren.3. Mr. Romero asked is Australia

a continent?

Bellwork 3/25Add commas, quotation marks, and capital letters where needed.1. Howard answered I’m not sure.2. Please reply said Mr. Romero if

you know the answer.3. Australia has had an unusual

history Anna said.

Bellwork 3/26Add commas, quotation marks, and capital letters where needed.1. That’s right said Mr. Romero.

It is a country and a continent.2. Did Mr. Romero just say tell

me more about Australia?3. Name some Australian

animals said Mr. Romero.

Titles of Short WorksYou also use quotation marks around titles of short works. The first, last, and all important words in a title are capitalized.Song: “The Star-Spangled Banner”Poem: “Jabberwocky”

Titles of Short WorksDo not capitalize any unimportant words such as the, a, and, of, for, or to unless it is the first word or last word in the title.Short Story: “The Cask of Amontillado”Magazine Article: “How to Ask for a Raise”

Bellwork 3/27Punctuate and capitalize these titles correctly.1. looking for the kiwi (short

story)2. the extraordinary animals of

australia (magazine article)3. waiting for the boat to take me

there (song)