punctuating dialogue

Front

What are quotation marks used for in dialogue?

Back

Quotation marks are used to indicate the exact words spoken by a character in dialogue.

Front

How do you punctuate a question in dialogue?

Back

When a question is asked in dialogue, the question mark is placed inside the quotation marks. For example: "Are you coming?" she asked.

Front

What is the correct placement of commas in dialogue?

Back

Commas are placed inside the quotation marks before the closing quote when the dialogue is followed by a tag (e.g., he said, she asked). Example: "I love reading," she said.

Front

How do you punctuate dialogue that is interrupted?

Back

Use a dash to indicate the interruption. Example: "I was going to say—" he started, but she cut him off.

Front

What is a dialogue tag?

Back

A dialogue tag is a phrase that attributes the dialogue to a speaker, such as 'he said' or 'she asked'.

Front

How do you punctuate a statement in dialogue?

Back

A statement in dialogue ends with a period inside the quotation marks if it is not followed by a dialogue tag. Example: "I enjoy reading."

Front

What is the rule for punctuating dialogue with multiple speakers?

Back

Each new speaker's dialogue should start on a new line to clearly indicate who is speaking.

Front

How do you punctuate a quote within dialogue?

Back

Use single quotation marks for the quote within the dialogue. Example: "He said, 'I will be there soon.'"

Front

What is the correct way to punctuate a sentence that ends with a question and is followed by a dialogue tag?

Back

The question mark remains inside the quotation marks, and the dialogue tag starts with a lowercase letter. Example: "Are you ready?" she asked.

Front

How do you punctuate a command in dialogue?

Back

A command in dialogue ends with an exclamation mark inside the quotation marks if it is emphatic. Example: "Stop right there!" he shouted.