PUNCTUATING

QUOTES
 TYPES OF QUOTES
• There are 2 types of quotations:
DIRECT and INDIRECT
• A direct quote states the EXACT words spoken
by a person:
“Clean your room,” Mom said.
• An indirect quote just tells what the speaker
said, it doesn’t quote them:
Mom said to clean your room.
 TYPES OF QUOTES
• Notice that a direct quote uses quotation
marks:
“Clean your room,” Mom said.
• An indirect quote does not use quotation
marks, but usually has the word, to, just before
what was said:
Mom said to clean your room.
 DIRECT OR INDIRECT?
Tell whether each quote is
DIRECT (D) or INDIRECT (I):
1. Our teacher said to clear our desks.
2. “Help me, please,” Sam said.
3. Dad asked, “Will you get that?”
4. Janet asked me to go to the mall.
5. Tim wanted to know if I was ten.
6. Faye said, “Study for your test.”
 DIRECT OR INDIRECT?
ANSWERS: Tell whether each quote is
DIRECT (D) or INDIRECT (I):
1. Our teacher said to clear our desks. I
2. “Help me, please,” Sam said. D
3. Dad asked, “Will you get that?” D
4. Janet asked me to go to the mall. I
5. Tim wanted to know if I was ten. I
6. Faye said, “Study for your test.” D
 PUNCTUATING
DIRECT QUOTES
• We use QUOTATION MARKS to show a
DIRECT QUOTE (the exact words spoken by
someone).

John said, “ I have to go!”

“Something’s wrong with her,” I said.
“Who,” asked Lee, “took my shoes?”
 PARTS OF A
DIRECT QUOTE
• There are 2 parts of a direct quote:
- the quote (spoken words)
- the tag (who said it and how)

John said, “I have to go!”

“Something’s wrong with her,” I said.
“Who,” asked Lee, “took my shoes?”
 PUNCTUATING &
CAPITALIZING DIRECT QUOTES
• Sentences using direct quotes are punctuated
differently, depending on where the tag is
placed.
• Quotation marks (opening & closing) always
“hug” the words spoken.
• The first word of a direct quote is ALWAYS
capitalized.
 TAG LOCATIONS
• Tags can be placed in 3 different places:
- before the direct quote
- after the direct quote
- between (interrupting) the direct quote

John said, “I have to go!”

“Something’s wrong with her,” I said.
“Who,” asked Lee, “took my shoes?”
 PUNCTUATING
TAGS BEFORE THE QUOTE
When the tag comes BEFORE the direct quote:
•Use a COMMA to separate the tag from the
direct quote
•“Hug” the direct quote with OPENING &
CLOSING quotation marks
•CAPITALIZE the first word of the direct quote
•Add an end mark INSIDE the quotation marks.

Fred said, “Let’s get out of here!”

 PUNCTUATING
TAGS BEFORE THE QUOTE
Rewrite each sentence, and add proper
capitalization and punctuation.

1. she said get in the car

2. gail asked where did you buy that
3. joey yelled leave me alone
4. they asked me to go with them
 PUNCTUATING
TAGS BEFORE THE QUOTE
Answers:

1. She said, “Get in the car.”

2. Gail asked, “Where did you buy that?”
3. Joey yelled, “Leave me alone!”
4. They asked me to go with them.
(indirect quote!)
 PUNCTUATING
TAGS AFTER THE QUOTE
When the tag comes AFTER the direct quote:
•“Hug” the direct quote with OPENING &
CLOSING quotation marks.
•CAPITALIZE the first word of the direct quote
•Use a COMMA, QUESTION MARK, or
EXCLAMATION MARK to separate the tag from
the direct quote (place it INSIDE the quotation
marks)

“That wasn’t me!” wailed Kimmy.

 PUNCTUATING
TAGS AFTER THE QUOTE
Rewrite each sentence, and add proper
capitalization and punctuation.

1. get in the car she said

2. where did you buy that gail asked
3. leave me alone joey yelled
4. mom said to get her keys wailed tina
 PUNCTUATING
TAGS AFTER THE QUOTE
Answers:

1. “Get in the car,” she said.

2. “Where did you buy that?” Gail asked.
3. “Leave me alone!” Joey yelled.
4. “Mom said to get her keys!” wailed Tina.
 PUNCTUATING
TAGS BETWEEN THE QUOTE
When the tag comes BETWEEN the direct quote:
•CAPITALIZE and PUNCTUATE the FIRST part of the
quote like you would a quote with an AFTER tag
•CAPITALIZE and PUNCTUATE the LAST part of the
quote like you would a quote with a BEFORE tag
“Jim,” begged Mr. Roy, “settle down!”
•DO NOT capitalize the first word of the LAST part
of the quote unless the FIRST part of the quote had
an END MARK instead of a COMMA!
“Jim!” begged Mr. Roy, “Settle down!”
 WOW. LET’S LOOK
AT THAT AGAIN…
When the tag comes BETWEEN the direct quote:

FIRST,

•CAPITALIZE and PUNCTUATE the FIRST part of the

quote like you would a quote with an AFTER tag.

“Jim,” begged Mr. Roy, “settle down!”

 WOW. LET’S LOOK
AT THAT AGAIN…
Then,
•CAPITALIZE and PUNCTUATE the LAST part of the
quote like you would a quote with a BEFORE tag
“Jim,” begged Mr. Roy, “settle down!”
 WOW. LET’S LOOK
AT THAT AGAIN…
Remember,
•DO NOT capitalize the first word of the LAST part
of the quote unless the FIRST part of the quote had
an END MARK instead of a COMMA!
“Jim!” begged Mr. Roy, “Settle down!”
 PUNCTUATING
TAGS BETWEEN THE QUOTE
Let’s look at some more:

“Susan,” asked Dad, “where are you?”

“Stop it!” he screamed, “Stop talking!”

Why is the “w” in WHERE not capitalized?

Why is the “s” in STOP capitalized?
 PUNCTUATING
TAGS BETWEEN THE QUOTE
What is the difference between these?

“Steve,” said Ken, “you are my friend.”

Steve said, “Ken, you are my friend.”

In one, Ken is talking, and in the

other, Steve is talking.
 PUNCTUATING
TAGS BETWEEN THE QUOTE
Rewrite each sentence, and add proper
capitalization and punctuation.

1. get in the car she said right now

2. where gail asked did you buy that
3. leave me alone joey yelled or else
4. cool! i cried can i see it
 PUNCTUATING
TAGS BETWEEN THE QUOTE
Answers:

1. “Get in the car,” she said, “right now.”

2. “Where,” Gail asked, “did you buy that?”
3. “Leave me alone,” Joey yelled, “or else!”
4. “Cool!” I cried, “Can I see it?”