Proper use of commas

1. Dialogue

2. Dialogue
Conversation between two
or more (2+) characters in a
story

3. Mechanics of Dialogue
 Use quotation marks “ ” to show the
characters’ own words

4. Mechanics of Dialogue
 Use quotation marks “ ” to show the
characters’ own words
 Always begin a new paragraph when the
speaker changes

5. Mechanics of Dialogue
 Use quotation marks “ ” to show the
characters’ own words.
 Always begin a new paragraph when the
speaker changes.
 Do not use quotation marks to show that a
character said something.

6. Example:
Marcy asked, “Where are we
going?” Mom said that we were
going to the mall.

7. Punctuating Dialogue
 Use commas to separate most quotations
from the rest of the sentence.
Example:
“Do you understand,” said Mr. Gray, “that
the problem needs more work?”

8. Punctuating Dialogue
Mr. Gray said, “Do you understand that the
problem needs more work?”
“Do you understand that the problem needs more
work?” said Mr. Gray.
“Do you understand,” said Mr. Gray, “that the
problem needs more work?”
Mr. Gray said that the problem needs more work.

9. The punctuation in dialogue is
always on the left of the quotation
marks.
“Do you understand,” said Mr.
Gray, “that the problem needs
more work?”

10. Punctuating Dialogue Practice
1. Where did you find that he asked in
surprise
2. My report is ready said Travis it is about
rockets.
3. Yesterday he interrupted I wasn’t there
4. John answered open the back door
5. Safe the umpire shouted.

11. Punctuating Dialogue Answers
1.“Where did you find that?” he asked in
surprise.

12. Punctuating Dialogue Answers
1. “Where did you find that?” he asked in
surprise.
2. “My report is ready,” said Travis. “It is
about rockets.”

13. Punctuating Dialogue Answers
1. “Where did you find that?” he asked in
surprise.
2. “My report is ready!” said Travis. “It is
about rockets.”
3. “Yesterday,” he interrupted, “I wasn’t
there.”

14. Punctuating Dialogue Answers
1. “Where did you find that?” he asked in
surprise.
2. “My report is ready!” said Travis. “It is
about rockets.”
3. “Yesterday,” he interrupted, “I wasn’t
there.”
4. John answered, “Open the back door!”

15. Punctuating Dialogue
1. “Where did you find that?” he asked in
surprise.
2. “My report is ready!” said Travis. “It is
about rockets.”
3. “Yesterday,” he interrupted, “I wasn’t
there.”
4. John answered, “Open the back door!”
5. “Safe!” the umpire shouted.