Quotations and Quotation Marks

1. Quotations and Quotation Marks

2. Direct Quotation • A direct quotation gives a person’s exact words and is enclosed in quotation marks (“ ”).

3. DQ Punctuation • Direct quotations begin with capital letters and end with proper punctuation. • End punctuation is inside the closing quotation marks. • Words that tell who is speaking are set off from the quotation by punctuation.

4. Examples • Jamie asked, “What was the Titanic?” • When the quotation comes last in a sentence, set it off with a comma.

5. Examples • “It was the largest passenger ship in the world,” replied May. “It was enormous!” she added. • When the quotation comes first in a sentence, a comma, question mark, or exclamation mark sets off the quotation.

6. Examples • “It was built in Belfast, Ireland,” she added, “over a two year period.” • When the quotation is interrupted by words that tell who is speaking, use two sets of quotation marks. • Notice that words telling who is speaking are followed by punctuation. Use a comma if the second part of the quotation does not begin a new sentence.

7. Examples • “What happened to the Titanic ?” asked Jamie. “Is it still in existence today?” • Use end punctuation and a capital letter if the second part of the quotation does begin a new sentence.

8. Practice (write on the tv screen with an erasable marker) • I’m going on a hot-air balloon ride said Sherry.

9. Practice • Wow that’s so cool exclaimed Phil.

10. Practice • He asked earnestly do you think I could come too.

11. Practice • I’ll ask my dad Sherry said.

12. Practice • What is it like inquired Phil.

13. Practice • She replied dreamily it’s like floating on a cloud.

14. Practice • The buildings and cars below look like toys she continued.

15. Practice • How do you make it go up and down asked Phil.

16. Practice • A burner heats the air explained Sherry.

17. Practice • More hot air takes you up she said and less takes you down.