Punctuating Dialogue

Original Presentation by: Arlene Rodríguez

Adapted by: Prof. Victor M. Vázquez

Rules1. Quotation marks should go at the

beginning and the end of spoken words.

2. The first letter of a quote should always be capitalized. If the quote is interrupted, by a tag line –the words that identify the speaker – (Ex. said José), the continuation is not capitalized.

Example:

“My family loves sushi,” said José, “but only if it has shrimp and avocado.”

Rule:

However, a new sentence after the tag line should also be capitalized.

Example:

“We also enjoy Italian pastas,” José continued. “On the other hand, we do not care for fast foods.”

Rules (cont.)

Commas and periods which are part of a quote always go before the closing quotation marks.

Example:

“Many fast foods have little nutritional value,” commented María, “but since they are inexpensive, many people consume them.”

Once again: Keep final commas and periods inside the quotation marks.

“ I do not know,” yelled Albert.

Albert yelled, “I do not know.”

Which one is correct?

The teacher screamed, “Everyone needs to line up at the door”.

“Everyone needs to line up at the door,” the teacher screamed.

Rule:

Question marks (?) and exclamation points (!) go before closing quotation marks if they are part of the spoken words.

Examples:

“Fred, I want you to take that new truck back to the dealership,” Mary snarled, “right now!”

“No way,” Fred paused, “ that I can return it. I lost the receipt.”

“What?” Mary retorted, “I can’t believe it!” Then she began to cry.

(Only the words spoken are surrounded by quotation marks.)

An uninterrupted speech needs quotation marks only at the beginning and the end.

WHICH ONE IS CORRECT?

“My mother was right. I never should have married you. You only think of yourself and I’m always the one who has to suffer.”

“Oh, cry me a river.” ” I’m the one who came out on the losing end of this marriage!” “Why didn’t you listen to your mother?”

RULE: Start a new paragraph each time the speaker changes.

“You can be so cruel some times!” Mary wailed.

“Oh I suppose you’ll go crying to your mother now,” Fred sighed. He was sorry he hurt Mary but he felt so confused.

Mary continued to sob. “At least she understands me.”

When only two people are talking you

don’t have to repeat their names.

“I understand how you feel, alright?”

“You do?”

“Aw, you know I do. It’s just that sometimes I lose my head.”

“So you still care about me? I was thinking this was over for us.”

“Of course, I care about you, Sweetie.”

“So you’ll take the truck back?”

“Over my dead body!”

Quote inside of a quote

Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.

Examples:

Jason told us, "Danea said, ‘Let’s go to the beach.’ "

Leandra laughed, “I love it when my mom announces, ‘Supper time’ ”

Exclamations and Questions

An exclamation point or question mark is placed inside the quotation marks when it punctuates the quotation. It is placed outside when it punctuates the main sentence.

For example:I was surprised when he asked, “That won’t be a problem for you, will it?”

Did the teacher really say, “Finish by tomorrow”?

Exclamations and Questions

When using exclamation points and question marks in your dialogue be sure to properly punctuate the words following the marks. If the sentence continues and the following words are not proper nouns then you DO NOT capitalize the next word.

Exxamples:“Did you hear Mr. Marcoux?” asked Esteban.

“Watch out!” warned Margie.

“No homework tonight!” Mrs. Tavárez asserted.

Avoid overusing the past tense verb “said” when writing dialogue. What other verbs can be used to develop written dialogue?

Examples:

reported

whispered

Punctuate the following sentences.1. when will you go the hospital Nora

asked Willie

2. At 9:00 he answered unless you want to go earlier

3. I need to go right now I have an emergency she responded frantically.

4. This morning the coach told us after yesterday’s game against Philippines Barea said I am the best