Grammar:

Quotation Marks

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use quotation marks.

How to Use Quotation Marks

Quotation marks help writers show when they are referring to others’ words and ideas. It is important to master quotation marks so that you can never be accused of plagiarism, which is stealing other’s ideas and words. Let’s learn about quotation marks.

Quotations and Punctuation

Use quotation marks to show your reader when you are using others’ words and ideas in your writing. When you write with quotation marks, be careful where you place punctuation. Place commas and periods inside the quotation marks.

See the example below:

Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

“No way,” she answered.

Question marks and exclamation points should be placed inside the quotation marks if the question or exclamation is part of the quotation. If a question or exclamation is not part of the original quotation, the punctuation is placed outside the quotation marks.

See the examples below:

He asked, “Do you have a problem?”

Can you believe Einstein said “Imagination is more important than knowledge”?

Be sure to capitalize the first letter in a quotation. However, if the quotation finishes your sentence, it can be used without capitalization.

See the example below:

Jon Smith argues that “life is too short to hold grudges.”

Direct Quotations

Use quotation marks to show your reader when you are using the exact language of a speaker or writer. Either before or after you share the quotation, tell the reader whose ideas you are quoting.

See the example below:

Colin Powell said, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.”

Notice that the writer clearly states who said the quotation. The writer places a comma after the word said, and then uses quotation marks at the beginning and end of the quotation. The writer also puts the final punctuation (the period) inside the last set of quotation marks.

You do not need to use quotation marks when you share someone’s ideas in your own words (paraphrase). However, it is still important that you tell the reader whose ideas you are sharing.

See the example below:

Colin Powell said that dreams happen through hard work and will power.

In the example above, the writer first clearly states who said the quotation, and then explains the ideas of the quotation in their own words (paraphrases).

Dialogue

Use quotation marks when using dialogue (conversation between people) in your writing. Be sure to create a new paragraph each time the speaker changes.

See the example below:

“Why is it such a big deal?” asked Mark. Jenny looked upset. She had been working on this project for several weeks.

“It’s a big deal to me,” she stated.

Mark replied, “Let’s talk about this after the meeting.”

Titles of Short Works

Place quotation marks around the titles of short works such as poems, short stories, articles, songs, and TV shows.

See the examples below:

Yesterday I read Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken.”

I find the story “The Gift of the Magi” inspiring.

Notice that the quotation marks are placed at the beginning and end of the title of each work.