Writers give their work clarity by using proper conversations of writing. Readers can understand who is speaking properly formatted dialogue.

No, but I’ll be done soon,

said Paul.

Why are quotation marks important?

In writing, the only_________________ exactly ___________ is___________, and when, is by the quotation marks.

Did you finish your essay

yet? Lynn asked.”“

”“

Direct and Indirect Quotations

___________________

• A direct quote is _________ ______________what someone has said, as they said it.

• Use direct quotation marks to enclose direct quotations. • Mimi said, “Reptiles are my

favorite animals.”

• “Are turtles considered reptiles?,” asked Brian.

______________________________• Indirect quotations is when you

are ______________what someone said. Often used by saying the word “that” between who said it and what they said.

• Do not use quotation marks for an indirect quotation—a rewording of a direct quotation.

____________Quotation

Juan said, The bus was late today.

_____________Quotation

Juan said that the bus was late today.

Rules of Formatting Dialogue

1. Quotation marks go at the ____________ and ___________of _____________words.

2. A speaker’s sentence should always _________ with a ________ __________.

3. Some form of punctuation (________, question_______, __________ mark, or ___________) should go at the________ of _________words, but__________the ________quotation _______.

4. Each time a new speaker speaks, a new indentation (Tab) is needed.

Strategies ( )

“Dogs make better pets than cats do,” said Frank.

“Have you ever had a cat?” Amy asked.

Write a ____________words ________and then ___________it at the _______. To do this, write the spoken words in quotation marks.

A direct quotation can be set off from the rest of a sentence by a comma, a question mark, or an exclamation point, but not by a period.

“No, and I never will!” he replied.

_________

__________________

___________________

Strategies ( ) • _________ the ________ words by placing the _________words in

the ___________.• When an interrupting expression divides a direct quotation into two

parts, place quotation marks around both parts of the quoted statement.

Will you take care of my pets, Mr. Yates asked,

while I’m on vacation?

Yes, I will, said Ted. You can count on me.

One quoted sentence with an interrupting expression

New quoted sentence following the interrupting expression

Strategies ( ) • Write the narrator’s words first and the spoken words at the

end. • To do this, write the _______________, then a _________,

_______the __________words (beginning with a capital letter) in quotation marks.

No matter how often Denise pleaded with Renee, she was always stubborn, Renee said, “I’m going to make my own mistakes and you have to let me or I’ll never learn.”

Strategies (D) • Write the spoken words with no comment from the narrator. In this

case it is obvious who the speakers are because the previous speaker was tagged. This will only work when this happens, or the reader will have no idea who is speaking.

• To do this, indent to show the new speaker.

Yes, ma’am, I think it will be. It might take some time, even then, but I believe that will do it.

And will you help?

The old man smiled and nodded.Oh, we’ll help all right.

PracticeRewrite the following sentences, punctuating them as needed.

1. When is this narrative due she asked

2. I have so much homework this week she complained that I’m going to have to cancel my date

3. The waitress said they bake all their own pies

4. Nervously scribbling on her notebook she bust out I can’t make it Friday night Joe

5. The waitress said that they bake all their own pies

6. I have two tests this week she went on plus an essay due Monday

7. Next week life should get a lot easier she said

8. I just hope she exclaimed that all this hard work will pay off

9. Eliza told that’s she should stop worrying so much have a little fun

10.Straight A’s she laughed now, that’s fun

No, but I’ll be done soon,

said Paul.

Why are quotation marks important?

In writing, the only way to tell exactly who is speaking, and when, is by the quotation marks.

Did you finish your essay

yet? Lynn asked.”“

”“

Direct and Indirect Quotations

Direct Quotations

• A direct quote is quoting exactly what someone has said, as they said it.

• Use direct quotation marks to enclose direct quotations. • Mimi said, “Reptiles are my

favorite animals.”

• “Are turtles considered reptiles?,” asked Brian.

Indirect Quotations • Indirect quotations is when you are

paraphrasing what someone said. Often used by saying the word “that” between who said it and what they said.

• Do not use quotation marks for an indirect quotation—a rewording of a direct quotation. Direct

Quotation Juan said, “The bus was late today.”

Indirect Quotation

Juan said that the bus was late today.

Rules of Formatting Dialogue

1. Quotation marks go at the beginning and ending of spoken words.

2. A speaker’s sentence should always start with a capital letter.

3. Some form of punctuation (comma, question mark, exclamation mark, or period) should go at the end of spoken words, but beforethe closing quotation mark.

4. Each time a new speaker speaks, a new indentation (Tab) is needed.

Strategies (A)

“Dogs make better pets than cats do,” said Frank.

“Have you ever had a cat?” Amy asked.

Write a spoken words first and then narration it at the end. To do this, write the spoken words in quotation marks.

A direct quotation can be set off from the rest of a sentence by a comma, a question mark, or an exclamation point, but not by a period.

“No, and I never will!” he replied.

Comma

Question mark

Exclamation point

Strategies (B) • Interrupt the spoken words by placing narrator words it in the

middle.

• When an interrupting expression divides a direct quotation into two parts, place quotation marks around both parts of the quoted statement.

“Will you take care of my pets,” Mr. Yates asked,

“while I’m on vacation?”

“Yes, I will,” said Ted. “You can count on me.”

One quoted sentence with an interrupting expression

New quoted sentence following the interrupting expression

Strategies (C) • Write the narrator’s words first and the spoken words at the

end. • To do this, write the narrator’s words, then a comma, then

the spoken words (beginning with a capital letter) in quotation marks.

No matter how often Denise pleaded with Renee, she was always stubborn, Renee said, “I’m going to make my own mistakes and you have to let me or I’ll never learn.”

Strategies (D) • Write the spoken words with no comment from the narrator. In this

case it is obvious who the speakers are because the previous speaker was tagged. This will only work when this happens, or the reader will have no idea who is speaking.

• To do this, indent to show the new speaker.

“Yes, ma’am, I think it will be. It might take some time, even then, but I believe that will do it.”

“And will you help?”

The old man smiled and nodded.“Oh, we’ll help all right.”

PracticeRewrite the following sentences, punctuating them as needed.

1. When is this narrative due she asked

2. I have so much homework this week she complained that I’m going to have to cancel my date

3. The waitress said they bake all their own pies

4. Nervously scribbling on her notebook she bust out I can’t make it Friday night Joe

5. The waitress said that they bake all their own pies

6. I have two tests this week she went on plus an essay due Monday

7. Next week life should get a lot easier she said

8. I just hope she exclaimed that all this hard work will pay off

9. Eliza told that’s she should stop worrying so much have a little fun

10.Straight A’s she laughed now, that’s fun