Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 15: Punctuation: Underlining (Italics), Quotation Marks, Apostrophes, Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

Lesson 2: Quotation Marks A

In this Grade 5 grammar lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course, students learn how to use quotation marks to enclose direct quotations, including split quotations where an explanation of the speaker interrupts the quoted words. The lesson covers rules for capitalization and punctuation within direct quotes, and students practice identifying when to apply quotation marks through sentence exercises. Students also learn to distinguish between direct quotations, which require quotation marks, and indirect quotations, which reword a speaker's words and do not.

Section 1

Direct Quotations

Definition

Use quotation marks to enclose a direct quotation—a person's exact words.

Explanation

Think of quotation marks as little hands that hold onto the exact words someone says. You need one at the very beginning and one at the very end of what they say. Remember, any punctuation that is part of the quote, like a question mark or an exclamation point, gets tucked inside the quotation marks. Also, the first word of a direct quotation is almost always capitalized.

Examples

  • Leo said, "I am excited for the field trip tomorrow." [Leo's exact words are surrounded by quotation marks.]
  • "What a fantastic magic trick!" exclaimed my friend. [My friend's exact words are surrounded by quotation marks.]
  • "When does the movie begin?" asked Maya. [The question mark is part of the quotation, so it goes inside the quotation marks.]

Section 2

Interrupted Quotations

Definition

When a person's exact words are interrupted by an explanation of who is talking, just remember the rule about putting quotation marks before and after a person's exact words.

Explanation

Sometimes, you might pause a quote to add a little note like "he said" or "she asked." When this happens, you need to put quotation marks around all the parts that are being spoken. Pay close attention to capitalization! If the second part of the quote is a brand new sentence, it starts with a capital letter. If it just continues the first thought, it starts with a lowercase letter.

Examples

  • "I finished my project," Liam said. "Now I can go outside." [The N in Now is capitalized because the second part of the quotation is a complete sentence.]
  • "Our school's team," announced the principal, "has won the championship." [Quotation marks surround all of the principal's exact words, even though they are broken into two sections.]

Section 3

Direct vs. Indirect Quotations

Definition

Do not put quotation marks around indirect quotations.

Explanation

What's the difference? A direct quotation is like a recording—it uses the person's exact words. An indirect quotation is when you report or summarize what someone said, often using the word that. You're telling the story of what they said, not repeating their speech word-for-word, so you don't use quotation marks.

Examples

  • Direct Quotation: The teacher asked, "Did everyone finish the reading?" [The quotation marks surround the teacher's exact words.]
  • Indirect Quotation: The teacher asked if everyone had finished the reading. [The sentence rewords what the teacher asked, so no quotation marks are needed.]
  • Direct Quotation: Anna said, "My favorite season is autumn." [Anna's exact words are in quotes.]
  • Indirect Quotation: Anna said that her favorite season is autumn. [This reports what Anna said without using her exact words.]

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Chapter 15: Punctuation: Underlining (Italics), Quotation Marks, Apostrophes, Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Underlining (Italics)

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  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Quotation Marks A

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Quotation Marks B

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Apostrophes

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Direct Quotations

Definition

Use quotation marks to enclose a direct quotation—a person's exact words.

Explanation

Think of quotation marks as little hands that hold onto the exact words someone says. You need one at the very beginning and one at the very end of what they say. Remember, any punctuation that is part of the quote, like a question mark or an exclamation point, gets tucked inside the quotation marks. Also, the first word of a direct quotation is almost always capitalized.

Examples

  • Leo said, "I am excited for the field trip tomorrow." [Leo's exact words are surrounded by quotation marks.]
  • "What a fantastic magic trick!" exclaimed my friend. [My friend's exact words are surrounded by quotation marks.]
  • "When does the movie begin?" asked Maya. [The question mark is part of the quotation, so it goes inside the quotation marks.]

Section 2

Interrupted Quotations

Definition

When a person's exact words are interrupted by an explanation of who is talking, just remember the rule about putting quotation marks before and after a person's exact words.

Explanation

Sometimes, you might pause a quote to add a little note like "he said" or "she asked." When this happens, you need to put quotation marks around all the parts that are being spoken. Pay close attention to capitalization! If the second part of the quote is a brand new sentence, it starts with a capital letter. If it just continues the first thought, it starts with a lowercase letter.

Examples

  • "I finished my project," Liam said. "Now I can go outside." [The N in Now is capitalized because the second part of the quotation is a complete sentence.]
  • "Our school's team," announced the principal, "has won the championship." [Quotation marks surround all of the principal's exact words, even though they are broken into two sections.]

Section 3

Direct vs. Indirect Quotations

Definition

Do not put quotation marks around indirect quotations.

Explanation

What's the difference? A direct quotation is like a recording—it uses the person's exact words. An indirect quotation is when you report or summarize what someone said, often using the word that. You're telling the story of what they said, not repeating their speech word-for-word, so you don't use quotation marks.

Examples

  • Direct Quotation: The teacher asked, "Did everyone finish the reading?" [The quotation marks surround the teacher's exact words.]
  • Indirect Quotation: The teacher asked if everyone had finished the reading. [The sentence rewords what the teacher asked, so no quotation marks are needed.]
  • Direct Quotation: Anna said, "My favorite season is autumn." [Anna's exact words are in quotes.]
  • Indirect Quotation: Anna said that her favorite season is autumn. [This reports what Anna said without using her exact words.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 15: Punctuation: Underlining (Italics), Quotation Marks, Apostrophes, Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Underlining (Italics)

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  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Quotation Marks A

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Quotation Marks B

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Apostrophes

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  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: Hyphens, Parentheses, Brackets, and Dashes

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