Quotation Mark Rules

Rules on how to use quotation marks are below:

1. Use quotation marks around the exact words of a speaker. Example: He said, "I saw that." "I saw it too," she said.

2. Use quotation marks around the exact words of a speaker. When the words identifying the speaker come between the parts of the quotation, put quotation marks around each part. Example: "Yes," said Jack, "I will be there."

3. Use one set of quotation marks for two or more sentences not broken by explanatory material. Example: "I know that. He has known for several days," said Jim. If part of the quotation is a new sentence use a capital letter. Example: "I know that," said Jim. "He has known for several days."

4. Use no quotation marks with indirect quotations. An indirect quotation often begins with the word that. Example: Betty said that she wished the election was final.

5. Begin a new paragraph with each change of speaker in dialogue.
Example:
"Can I count on you?" asked Carl.
"Yes, you can," said Matthew.
"You cannot fail us," replied Claudia.

6. If a quotation has more than one paragraph, use quotation marks at the beginning of each paragraph and at the end of the last paragraph of the quotation.

7. Use quotation marks around the titles of short stories, short plays, short poems and short musical compositions; of art works, articles, chapters, essays, and speeches; of radio and television programs. Example: My favorite painting is "Blue Boy."

8. Use single quotation marks for a quotation within a quotation. Example: "Dad always says, 'Maybe,'" cried Pam.

9. Use quotation marks to set off words or phrases used in a special sense: technical, ironical, coined, slang, and words used as words in informal writing. Examples: Grant always uses the word "terrific." The car driving slowly down the street went "ka-lunk! ka-lunk!"

10. Always place commas and periods inside quotation marks. Example: One famous painting is "The Song of the Lark."

11. Place question marks and exclamation points inside quotation marks if they are part of the quotation. Examples: Jim asked, "Where are you going?"