Dialogue Rules

How to Punctuate and Format Dialogue

Use quotation marks around the words someone is saying:

“Get to work,” Mrs. Huff screamed. “Your rough draft is due Monday.”

Periods and commas go INSIDE quotations marks.

“Get to work,” Mrs. Huff screamed. “Your rough draft is due Monday.”

Indent: Start a new paragraph every time you change speakers.

“This is a major grade,” said Mrs. Huff through gritted teeth. “We know,” Johnny said, rolling his eyes in typical teenage fashion. Her students were finally settling down to work, no doubt crafting masterpieces.

“Don’t forget: your rough draft is due Monday,” Mrs. Huff said, confident her students would come through by Monday.