This document provides instructions for properly punctuating textual evidence from sources in writing. It explains that quotation marks should be used around any direct quotes, and a page number should be included in parentheses at the end of the quote. Punctuation like periods and commas are placed outside the closing parentheses. For dialogue, an additional set of single quotation marks is needed inside the double quotation marks to distinguish between narration and character speech. Examples are given for punctuating both narration and dialogue correctly when incorporating them into written work.

1. IN-TEXT CITATIONS:
HOW TO PUNCTUATE
TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
Including narration and dialogue
By Jessica Schmitt

2. THE FIRST STEP
1. Whenever you use textual evidence, begin
by putting quotation marks (“ ”) around the
author’s words.
• Doing this gives credit to the author and shows
your reader which words are your words and
which words are the author’s words.

3. SECOND AND THIRD STEPS
2. Add the page number in parentheses.
3. Move the period OUTSIDE of the parentheses.
NOTE: You NEVER include periods, commas, or semi-colons
before the closing quotation marks.
Example: “Textual evidence” (1).
Do NOT include .
, or ; here!
Add a period
here

4. THIRD STEP (CONTINUE D)
3. While you NEVER include punctuation such as
periods, commas, semi-colons before the closing
quotation marks, you DO include question marks
and exclamation points. You also still include the
period outside of the parentheses.
• Example: “Textual evidence?” (1).
You may keep ? and !
You ALWAYS
add a period
here

5. BUT WAIT!
You might ask yourself, “If I start with the
first step of adding quotation marks around
the author’s words, how does my reader
know if I’m quoting narration or dialogue?”

6. What it is:
Descriptions from the
narrator (no quotation
marks in the story)
What it is:
Characters speaking
(quotation marks around
what the characters say)
FORTH STEP:
NARRATION OR DIALOGUE?
Narration Dialogue

7.  With narration, you stop after
the first and second steps. These
steps show you’re using the
author’s words and tell your
reader on what page you found
them.
 With dialogue, you need to
add single quotation mark to
show dialogue inside of the
double quotation marks that show
you’re using the author’s words.
FORTH STEP
EXPLANATION OF PUNCTUATION
Narration Dialogue

8.  Then again, from
below, in the great heavy
stack, came a groan from
that plain little turtle
named Mack
 Your Majesty,
please… I don’t like to
complain, but down here
below we are feeling great
pain
EXAMPLE OF PUNCTUATING
NARRATION AND DIALOGUE
Narration Dialogue
“
” (17). (17).
“‘
”’

9. NARRATION THEN DIALOGUE
H OW T H E T E X T I S P U N C T UA T E D I N T H E S T O RY
 And this plain little turtle looked up and he
said, “Beg your pardon, King Yertle. I’ve pains
in my back and my shoulders and knees. How
long must we stand here, Your Majesty, please?”

10. NARRATION THEN DIALOGUE
H OW Y O U S H O U L D P U N C T UA T E I T I N YO U R W R I T I N G
 And this plain little turtle looked up and he
said, Beg your pardon, King Yertle. I’ve pains in
my back and my shoulders and knees. How long
must we stand here, Your Majesty, please?
“
”’
‘
(8).
“
”

11. DIALOGUE THEN NARRATION
H OW T H E T E X T I S P U N C T UA T E D I N T H E S T O R Y
“Down at the bottom we, too, should
have rights. We turtles can’t stand it. Our
shells will all crack! Besides, we need food.
We are starving!” groaned Mack.

12. DIALOGUE THEN NARRATION
H OW Y O U S H O U L D P U N C T UA T E I T I N YO U R W R I T I N G
Down at the bottom we, too, should
have rights. We turtles can’t stand it. Our
shells will all crack! Besides, we need food.
We are starving! groaned Mack
“
”
“
(17).
‘
’ .”

13. The End