Concept 7

Use quotation marks and punctuation placement appropriately in dialogue/quoted material.

Core Idea

Quotation marks should frame the exact quoted words, and in standard American usage punctuation like commas and periods usually goes inside the closing quotation mark.

Understanding

Rule: Dialogue questions are often less about style than about placement. Make sure the quoted material starts and ends in the right spot.

Then check the punctuation around the dialogue tag. If the tag continues the sentence, a comma usually belongs inside the closing quotation mark.

Question

Worked Example

Which choice best punctuates the sentence?

"Please submit the final poster by Friday the adviser told the class."

Select an answer to see the explanation