Lesson 3: Quotation Marks B

Definition

When you write dialogue (conversation), begin a new paragraph each time the speaker changes. When a quotation consists of several sentences, place quotation marks only at the beginning and at the end of the whole quotation.

Explanation

Think of it like a play script! To keep a conversation clear, start a new paragraph every time a new person speaks. This helps your reader easily follow who is talking. Also, if one person gives a long speech, you don't need quotes around every sentence. Just put one set of quotation marks at the very beginning and end of their entire part.

Examples

• “What did you get on the science test?” asked Ben. ^ “I got an A,” said Chloe. “I studied all weekend.” [A caret (^) shows a new paragraph should start because the speaker changed from Ben to Chloe. Notice Chloe's two sentences are part of one quotation.]
• “Let’s go to the park after school,” suggested Maria. ^ “Okay,” said Leo. “Should I bring my new soccer ball?” [A new paragraph is needed because Leo is a new speaker.]

Definition

Use quotation marks to enclose titles and subtitles of short works such as short stories, poems, essays, articles, songs, episodes of television series, and chapters and other parts of books.

Explanation

Think of quotation marks as special signs that say, “Hey, this is a title!” Use them for smaller creative works, like a single song, a poem, a short story, or one TV episode. It separates the title from the rest of the sentence, making it clear you're talking about a specific piece of work.

Examples

• We read the poem “My Shadow” in class today. [The title of the poem is enclosed in quotation marks.]
• My little sister loves to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” [The title of the song is enclosed in quotation marks.]
• I read an interesting article called “The Secret Lives of Dolphins.” [The title of the article is enclosed in quotation marks.]

Definition

Use single quotation marks to enclose a quotation within a quotation or a title of a short work within a quotation.

Explanation

This is like a quote inside a quote! When someone is talking (using double quotes “ ”), and they mention what someone else said, you wrap that inner quote in single quotes ‘ ’. The same rule applies if they mention the title of a song or short story in their sentence. It keeps everything neat and easy to read.

Examples

• My friend asked, “Did the coach just say, ‘Practice is cancelled’?” [The coach’s words are a quote inside my friend's question, so they get single quotation marks.]
• Maria said, “My favorite poem is ‘The Tyger’ by William Blake.” [The title of the poem is enclosed in single quotation marks because it is inside a quotation.]
• The witness stated, “I clearly heard the man shout, ‘It was him!’” [The shouted words are a quotation inside the witness’s statement.]