The document provides instructions for properly punctuating dialogue in writing. It demonstrates how to correctly format quoted speech, including capitalizing the first word, ensuring the quote is followed by the attribution, and starting a new paragraph when the speaker changes.

1. Punctuating Dialogue
6th and 7th Grade Language

2.  The teacher said in this class there will be
no talking, chewing, breathing,
unnecessary eye movements, or tap
dancing.
 The teacher said “in this class there will
be no talking, chewing, breathing,
unnecessary eye movements, or tap
dancing.”
Select the quoted words

3.  The teacher said “in this class there will
be no talking, chewing, breathing,
unnecessary eye movements, or tap
dancing.”
 The teacher said “In this class there will
be no talking, chewing, breathing,
unnecessary eye movements, or tap
dancing.”
Capitalize the first word

4.  The teacher said “In this class there will
be no talking, chewing, breathing,
unnecessary eye movements, or tap
dancing.”
 The teacher said, “In this class there will
be no talking, chewing, breathing,
unnecessary eye movements, or tap
dancing.”
Separate the quote

5.  “Where are you going?” John asked.
 “I can’t believe it’s already Friday!” Amy
screamed.
 NEVER separate the quote with a period!
 “Hello.” announced Mr. Buckwalter.
Separate the quote

6. ¶ The teacher said, “In this class there
will be no talking, chewing, breathing,
unnecessary eye movements, or tap
dancing.”
 ¶ “Wow,” Andy replied, “you sound
terrible.”
 ¶ “That, Mr. Winschel, just earned you
a detention,” bellowed the teacher.
New Paragraph when Speaker
Changes

7.  Wow Andy replied you sound terrible.
 “Wow” Andy replied “you sound terrible.”
 “Wow,” Andy replied, “you sound terrible.”
Inside the
Inside the
quotation marks
quotation marks
Where it gets tricky