2. Punctuation and Quotations Quotation marks enclose only a direct quotation – one that repeats a person’s exact words ExampleDIRECT QUOTATION Pete said, “My toast is burned.” (his exact words) ExampleINDIRECT QUOTATION Pete said that his toast was burned. (someone else’s words)
3. Punctuation and Quotations Capitalize the first word of every direct quotation because it is the first word of the speaker’s sentence. ExampleBernie replied, “My math book is in the car.” Do not capitalize an indirect quotation. ExampleBernie replied that his math book was in the car.
4. Punctuation and Quotations Put a comma between the explanatory word like he said or she said and the quotation mark in a direct quotation. ExampleBernie replied, “My math book is in the car.” Do not use any commas to report indirect speech. ExampleBernie replied that his math book was in the car.
5. Punctuation and Quotations When a quotation is interrupted by explanatory words, use two sets of quotation marks. Example“A thing of beauty,” wrote John Keats,“is a joy forever.”
6. Punctuation and Quotations Separate each part of the quotation from the interrupting phrase with marks of punctuation before and after the phrase. If the second part of the quotation is a complete sentence, begin it with a capital letter. Example“It wasn’t just that Babe Ruth hit more home runs that anybody else,” said Red Smith.“He hit them better, higher, and farther.”
7. Punctuation and Quotations Concluding periods and commas always go inside quotation marks. Examples: “I always enjoy speaking to students,” began the speaker. The speaker began, “I always enjoy speaking to the students.” She said, “I have lost my book.”
8. Punctuation and Quotations When a question is involved, decide if it is a direct quotation or indirect quotation. Direct quotationRoy asked, “When did you arrive?” (Roy’s words) Indirect quotationRoy asked when I arrived. (someone else’s words)
9. Punctuation and Quotations Question mark goes inside the quote to show the quotation is a question. ExampleMother asked, “Did you feed the dog?” The quotation is a question. The sentence is not. Question mark goes outside the quotation mark to show that the entire sentence, but not the quotation, is a question. ExampleDidn’t Mother say, “Don’t feed the dog”? (The entire sentence is a question; the quotation is not.)
10. Punctuation and Quotations If both the sentence and the quotation are questions, put the question mark inside the quotation mark. ExampleDidn’t Mother ask, “Did you feed the dog?” Only one ending punctuation mark is used. Ever. Period. Exclamation point! Really? Yes.
11. Punctuation and Quotations When a quoted question is at the beginning of a sentence, put the question mark at the end of the question. Do not use a comma. The question mark (or exclamation point) displaces the comma normally required. Example“When do we eat?” asked Terry. Example“Watch out for the child!” shouted Fred. Only one ending punctuation mark is used. Does this sound familiar?
12. Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes inside all quote marks. ExampleHe said, "Danea said, 'Do not treat me that way.'" ExamplePresident John F. Kennedy said, “I am the one person who can truthfully say, ‘I got my job through the New York Times.’” Punctuation and Quotations
13. Do not use quotation marks with quoted material that is more than three lines in length. The format for that will be another lesson. Although technically this is possible, please do not use colons or semi-colons with quotations. The rules are just too complicated for colons and semi-colons now. They are not used frequently. Punctuation and Quotations
14. Punctuation and Quotations In our book No Way Out, the publisher has chosen to use single-quotation marks through the text. This is a British method. The most important thing is that the opening and closing quotation marks match each other. For World Lit, please use double-quotation marks and single marks within the double, when necessary.
Editor's Notes
Use the colon to introduce a direct quotation that is more than three lines in length. In this situation, leave a blank line above and below the quoted material. Single space the long quotation. Some style manuals say to indent one-half inch on both the left and right margins; others say to indent only on the left margin. Quotation marks are not used. Example:The author of Touched, Jane Straus, wrote in the first chapter: Georgia went back to her bed and stared at the intricate patterns of burned moth wings in the translucent glass of the overhead light. Her father was in “hyper mode” again where nothing could calm him down. He’d been talking nonstop for a week about remodeling projects, following her around the house as she tried to escape his
