PUNCTUATING QUOTES

PUNCTUATING QUOTESPUNCTUATING QUOTES

Punctuating Direct QuotesPunctuating Direct Quotes

• We use QUOTATION MARKS to show a DIRECT QUOTE (the exact words spoken by someone)

John said, “I have to go!”

“Something’s wrong with her,” I said.

“Who,” asked Lee, “took my shoes?”

Parts of a Direct QuoteParts of a Direct Quote

• There are 2 parts of a direct quote: - the quote (spoken words) - the tag (who said it and how)

John said, “I have to go!” “Something’s wrong with her,” I said. “Who,” asked Lee, “took my shoes?”

Tag LocationsTag Locations

• Tags can be placed in 3 different places:

- before the direct quote

- between (interrupting) the direct quote

- after the direct quote

John said, “I have to go!”

“Something’s wrong with her,” I said.

“Who,” asked Lee, “took my shoes?”

Punctuating & CapitalizingPunctuating & CapitalizingDirect QuotesDirect Quotes

• Sentences using direct quotes are punctuated differently, depending on where the tag is placed

• Quotation marks (opening & closing) always “hug” the words spoken

• The first word of a direct quote is ALWAYS capitalized

Punctuating Direct Quotes:Punctuating Direct Quotes:Tags BEFORE the QuoteTags BEFORE the Quote

• When the tag comes BEFORE the direct quote:• Use a COMMA to separate the tag from the direct

quote• “Hug” the direct quote with OPENING & CLOSING

quotation marks• CAPITALIZE the first word of the direct quote• Add an end mark INSIDE the quotation marks.

Fred said, “Let’s get out of here!”

Punctuating Direct Quotes:Punctuating Direct Quotes:Tags BEFORE the QuoteTags BEFORE the Quote

On your handout, use editing marks to

correctly capitalize and punctuate each

sentence.

1. she said get in the car

2. gail asked where did you buy that

3. joey yelled leave me alone

4. they asked me to go with them

Punctuating Direct Quotes:Punctuating Direct Quotes:Tags AFTER the QuoteTags AFTER the Quote

• When the tag comes AFTER the direct quote:• “Hug” the direct quote with OPENING & CLOSING

quotation marks• CAPITALIZE the first word of the direct quote• Use a COMMA, QUESTION MARK, or

EXCLAMATION MARK to separate the tag from the direct quote (place it INSIDE the quotation marks)

“That wasn’t me!” wailed Kimmy.

Punctuating Direct Quotes:Punctuating Direct Quotes:Tags AFTER the QuoteTags AFTER the Quote



sentence.

1. get in the car she said

2. where did you buy that gail asked

3. leave me alone joey yelled

Punctuating Direct Quotes:Punctuating Direct Quotes:Tags BETWEEN the QuoteTags BETWEEN the Quote

• When the tag comes BETWEEN the direct quote:• CAPITALIZE and PUNCTUATE the FIRST part of the

quote like you would a quote with an AFTER tag• CAPITALIZE and PUNCTUATE the LAST part of the

quote like you would a quote with a BEFORE tag

“Jim,” begged Mr. Roy, “settle down!”

• DO NOT capitalize the first word of the LAST part of the quote unless the FIRST part of the quote had an END MARK instead of a COMMA!

“Jim!” begged Mr. Roy, “Settle down!”


Let’s look at some more:

“Susan,” asked Dad, “where are you?”

“Stop it!” he screamed, “Stop talking!”

Why is the “w” in WHERE not capitalized? Why is the “s” in STOP capitalized?


What is the difference between these?

“Steve,” said Ken, “you are my friend.”

Steve said, “Ken, you are my friend.”




sentence.

1. get in the car she said right now

2. where gail asked did you buy that

3. leave me alone joey yelled or else

4. cool! i cried can i see it

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PUNCTUATING QUOTES