|
|
Quotation Marks |
The
Least You Should Know About Quotation Marks
4 Basic Rules
Read the following sentences and decipher the four basic rules to successful quotation use:
1.
Does the period go inside or outside of the quotation marks?Dick said, "I love you."
However, when your instructor requires in-text citations, the period goes after the quotation mark:
Morrie said, "The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in" (52).
Morrie said, "The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in" ( Albom 52).
2. Does the comma following the quote go inside or outside of the quotation marks?
"I want," he said, "for you to love me too."
"If you really want it, then you'll make your dream happen, " said Mitch.
3. Is there usually a comma separating the quoted material from the speaker - when there is a natural pause in the reading?(Dick said, "I love you.")
("I love you too," replied Jane.)
4. What impact does the word (he said) THAT have on quotation marks?
( Dick said that he loved Mary.)
(Dick said, "Mary, I love you." )
(Generally the word "that" indicates what will follow is not a direct quote, but a paraphrase. Paraphrases do not take quotation marks. Therefore, rarely will you see quotation marks following the word "that.")
When you wish to quote someone directly, avoid using the word "that."
*************************************************
For more complicated sentences ? : ! ;
1.
Does the semicolon following the quote go inside or outside of the quotation marks?(Jane said, "I really don't know"; she knew better than to get involved in a fight.)
2.
Does the colon following the quote go inside or outside of the quotation marks?(Three students selected "Mending Wall": Sally, Dick, and Jane.)
***********************************************************************
3.
Question marks and exclamation points can go inside or outside the quotation marks.**********************************************************************
3.A. The ONLY TIME question marks go inside the quoted material is when the only question is the quotation. The question is the quotation.
The student asked, "Will we be graded on this?"
3B. The ONLY TIME exclamation points go inside the quoted material is when the only exclamatory part is the quotation.
"That's great!" the students said.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
In all other circumstances question marks & exclamation points go outside the quote. These other circumstances would be twofold:A. When the part outside of the quote is the question or exclamation
B. Both the quote and the outside are a question or exclamation
4A Did the teacher say, "There is no test tonight"?
How wonderful it was when John said, "Now I understand"!
4B. Did the teacher ask, "Where is everyone tonight"?
How wonderful it was when the teacher said, "No tests all semester"!
***********************************************************************
Also use quotations around the following:
titles of essays
articles
chapter headings
short stories
short poems
songs
word or phrase used as a discussion - Never use "moreover" as a coordinating conjunction
uncommon nicknames
words used ironically: Her "friend" was a paper doll.
rev. 11/2003