QUOTATION MARKS Lesson 1 Use quotation marks around the exact words of a speaker. When the words identifying the speaker come between the parts of the quotation, put quotation marks around each part. Example: "Yes," said Jack, "I will be there." Use one set of quotation marks for two or more sentences not broken by explanatory material. Example: "I know that. He has known for several days," said Jim. If part of the quotation is a new sentence use a capital letter. Example: "I know that," said Jim. "He has known for several days." Use quotation marks and capitals where needed in these sentences. 1. We will be in town tomorrow night. Don't wait up. We will come by the next day, said Jeanne. 2. We want you to stay with us, answered Barbara. we'll meet you at the station. 3. Okay, replied Chris, bring the car around. 4. Are the girls ready to go? asked Ann. they need to leave now. 5. Yes, replied Ila, that play was really enjoyable. Lesson 2 Use no quotation marks with indirect quotations. An indirect quotation often begins with the word that. Example: Betty said that she wished the election was final. 1. James stated that he had won the race. 2. Richard said, I was in second place until I fell. 3. Mom said that she was worried when she saw it happen. 4. Sue said, that was too bad. 5. I hope that you had fun, anyway, said his dad.
Lesson 3 Begin a new paragraph with each change of speaker in dialogue. Example: "Can I count on you?" asked Carl. "Yes, you can," said Matthew. "You cannot fail us," replied Claudia. Make new paragraphs and place quotation marks where needed in the following dialogues. 1. Knock on the door. I will be right behind you, said John. I am afraid, said James. You are bigger and older so you knock. I will do it. Why are you worried about it? It is just Halloween, interrupted Matthew, and there is nothing scary about this house. 2. Chantelle said, I never get to be the mother when we play. You can be the mother today, replied Hayley. When will I get to be the mother? asked Alise. You are too little, replied Hayley and Chantelle. 3. We are going to have a new baby, said Ann. I hope it is a boy, said Chris. We need a boy in the family. I want it to be a girl, remarked Rebecca. I don't care, said Allison. I just hope it hurries up. 4. Do you want to play on the computer with me, Mark? asked Todd. I am too little, said Mark. Mommy won't let me. Todd, you wouldn t let him play very much if he could, stated Stephanie. Todd said, I am going to change and let him now. 5. Lindsay asked, Do we have everything for the trip? I hope so, replied Boyd. Did you get everything for Celeste? I have had it ready all day, said Lindsay. Lesson 4 Use quotation marks and capitals where needed in these sentences. 1. That is an interesting story, said Sarah. 2. Could you, asked Jack, tell us some more stories?
3. I like old stories from long ago, remarked Jane. My mother used to read them to me. 4. Joe said that he had heard the story before. 5. I doubt that you know what you are talking about, stated Charlie. Well, replied Joe, you are incorrect this time. Charlie looking at Joe then said, I apologize for my unkind remark. 6. The children said that they would look for more books with interesting old stories. 7. Have you ever been to Persia? asked Henry. No, I haven't, said Bill, and it is not called Persia now. What is it called now, inquired Jane. 8. Look, cried Sarah, Mom is bringing refreshments! 9. This sure has been a fun day, guys, giggled Jack. 10. I hope we can do this again soon, said Bill. There is so much to learn from good stories. Lesson 5 Use quotation marks around the titles of short stories, short plays, short poems and short musical compositions; of art works, articles, chapters, essays, and speeches; of radio and television programs. Example: My favorite painting is "Blue Boy." 1. I was very interested in the article Our Missing President. 2. I loved the old television program Maverick. 3. Have you read Miniver Cheevy, the short narrative poem? 4. At Christmas time I love to read The Gift of the Magi, a short story by O. Henry. 5. That song playing is Greensleeves, isn't it? Lesson 6
Use single quotation marks for a quotation within a quotation. Example: "Dad always says, 'Maybe,'" cried Pam. 1. Have you read The Scarlet Ibis, a very good short story? asked the teacher. 2. He replied, I know she said, I am not sure. 3. Everyone will read the chapter entitled Africa for tomorrow, commanded the substitute teacher. 4. The witness answered, I heard the officer say Put down the gun! 5. This famous painting Square Sunlight has won many awards, stated the guide. Lesson 7 Use quotation marks to set off words or phrases used in a special sense: technical, ironical, coined, slang, and words used as words in informal writing. Examples: Grant always uses the word "terrific." The car driving slowly down the street went "ka-lunk! ka-lunk!" 1. Show us how you are the expert. 2. The delegates ended their peace talks with much angry shouting. 3. I know we can make that jalopy into a great hot rod. 4. The boss is going to can us all if we don't get on the ball. 5. Why do you always say the word excellent to every statement? Lesson 8 Always place commas and periods inside quotation marks. Example: One famous painting is "The Song of the Lark." 1. I like the sea poem The Revenge. 2. I had hoped, said Bob, that you would be in the play.
3. I enjoyed the story The Milk Pitcher, the short story about baseball and a cow. 4. Yes, Captain Smith said, we can go sailing. 5. You never answer anything with the word yes. Lesson 9 Place question marks and exclamation points inside quotation marks if they are part of the quotation. Place question marks and exclamation points outside the quotation marks if they pertain to more than the quotation. Examples: Jim asked, "Where are you going?" Did Ann say, "I won't do it"? "Are you sure!" exclaimed Becky. How happy she was to say, "I do"! 1. When Dad said that we were going camping, I shouted, What a great idea! 2. Mary asked, When are you going? 3. Didn't you hear me say, I will think about it? 4. Didn't you hear the policeman shout, Stop!? 5. We need protection from his kindness! Lesson 10 - Quiz Rewrite the following, changing all indirect quotations to direct quotations and punctuating and paragraphing them correctly. We had an interesting discussion last night. Mr. James who is a quiet, unassuming man said that he hasn't read about the election. I am afraid that I trust no one. Pam asked if he had voted for the president in the election. She said that everyone should vote each time. He replied that he had voted this time, but didn't think his vote would count for much. She asked if he had read in a popular magazine the article Every Vote Counts. We now know that every vote counts! Mr. James stated that he never knows how to vote. He needs to find an
expert. Pam laughed and told him that he could come to her since the experts on television never agree on anything. I know better than the experts!