Punctuation of Direct Quotes

You will be using direct quotes in your writing throughout the year.

The difference between direct and indirect…

• What do you think the difference is between a direct and indirect quote?

Formal Definition

• A direct quote contains the exact words of the speaker.Example: “I went skiing last weekend,” said Wendy.

• An indirect quote contains the sense of the speaker’s words, but not the exact words.Example: Wendy said that she went skiing last

weekend.

Practice Sentences (Identify Direct or Indirect)

1. Roberta asked do you have change for a dollar

2. can you recite asked the history teacher the names of the founding fathers

3. Adam said that he would introduce the speaker

4. has anyone seen my planner asked Brenda

5. Sam has an appointment with the doctor today stated Mom your appointment isn’t until next week

6. Martin said to his mother football practice lasts until 6:00 P.M.

Punctuation of a Direct Quote

When…• A. The SPEAKER’S TAG in FRONT of QUOTE: John said , “ The Garth Brooks concert is this weekend . ” . ” Mary asked , “ Are you going ? ”

? ”

The actor on the stage shouted , “ Now, I have you trapped ! ” ! ”

B. The SPEAKER’S TAG in the MIDDLE of a SPLIT QUOTE:

“ When Dad comes home , ” said Mom , “ let’s tell him our good news . ”

“ Do you know , ” asked the teacher , “ the square root of a

number ? ”

C. The SPEAKER’S TAG at the END of a QUOTE:

“ Let’s drive to the lake today , ” said Ralph . , ” said Ralph.

“ Have you met the new girl ? ” asked Molly . ? ” asked

Molly. “ The car is on fire ! ” yelled Dad .

! ” yelled Dad.

D. The SPEAKER’S TAG BETWEEN TWO SEPARATE QUOTES:

“ Fred is bringing chips , ” said Beverly . “ The girls are bringing Cokes . ”

“ Fred is bringing chips , ” said Beverly . “ What are you bringing, Sue ? ”

“ Is everyone ready to go ? ” asked Mom . “ We need to get

on the road . ”

Practice…

1. she said let’s eat out tonight 2. did you know asked Ellen about the test today 3. we are interrupting this program stated the announcer for an

emergency announcement

4. Alydia screamed there is a spider in my backpack

5. do you know how to do this problem asked Josh it doesn’t make sense to me

Practice Continued…6. he asked which restaurant is your favorite 7. when are you going skiing asked Delia 8. we must interrupt this program stated the announcer we

have an emergency announcement 9. there’s a fire in the attic yelled Dad 10. the best time to go skiing is in January said Sam 11. Ellen asked if we knew about the test today

Homework #1

• Pay attention to the directions! You must write out the quotes on notebook paper to receive credit for #’s 1-10 on the bottom half.

• Due Tomorrow, August 26.

Homework #1 AnswersDirect or Indirect:

1. Direct

2. Indirect3. Direct4. Indirect5. Direct6. Indirect7. Direct8. Direct9. Indirect10. Indirect

Homework #1 Answers Continued…Punctuation and Capitalization of direct quotes:

1. the whole secret of the study of nature wrote George Sand lies in learning how to use one’s eyes.

“The whole secret of the study of nature,” wrote George Sand, “lies in learning how to use one’s eyes.”

2. Pat calmly stated this is the last time I am staying latePat calmly stated, “This is the last time I am staying late.”

3. John asked would you like to play basketballJohn asked, “Would you like to play basketball?”

4. dinner will be an hour late announced the hostess“Dinner will be an hour late,” announced the hostess.

5. the story is absolutely false Harry shouted“The story is absolutely false!” Harry shouted.

6. has everyone been warned Judy asked about the new speed limit on the highway

“Has everyone been warned,” Judy asked, “about the new speed limit on the highway?”

7. have you seen any strangers in the neighborhood the officer asked “Have you seen any strangers in the neighborhood?” the officer asked.

8. yes, I have known him for three years the witness answered he has worked for my company since 1997

“Yes, I have known him for three years,” the witness answered. “He has worked for my company since 1997.”

9. Mom shouted up the stairs here comes the school busMom shouted up the stairs, “Here comes the school bus!”

10. do you have a pencil asked Steven my pencil has disappeared“Do you have a pencil?” asked Steven. “My pencil has disappeared.”

Homework #2

• You must write out the quotes on notebook paper to receive credit.

• Due Friday, August 28.

Homework #2 Answers

1. the trees have begun to change color Beverly said“The trees have begun to change color,” Beverly said.

2. Mom asked what does everyone want for dinnerMom asked, “What does everyone want for dinner?”

3. Brenda said that she couldn’t sleep last nightIndirect

4. what is the answer to the second problem asked the math teacher“What is the answer to the second problem?” asked the math teacher.

6. Janice asked Matt if he could give her a ride homeIndirect

7. the secretary asked when do you need this letter typedThe secretary asked, “When do you need this letter typed?”

8. at the end of the day stated Les we’re all ready to go home“At the end of the day,” stated Les, “we’re all ready to go home.”

9. watch out for that car shouted mom“Watch out for that car!” shouted Mom.

10. my sister said that Kim had calledIndirect

11. the fireman shouted watch out for that falling limbThe fireman shouted, “Watch out for that falling limb!”

12. Amelia suggested let’s go see a movieAmelia suggested, “Let’s go see a movie.”

13. the leaves are changing color said Joe do you want to take a drive in the country

“The leaves are changing color,” said Joe. “Do you want to take a drive in the country?”

14. do you know asked Jon when the homework is due“Do you know,” asked Jon, “when the homework is due?”

How to punctuate quotes within a quote

E. QUOTE WITHIN A QUOTE:

The teacher asked , “ Did you read the poem ‘ Invictus ’ last night ? ” Maryanne said , “ I heard the teacher say , ‘ The project is due Friday . ’ ” The teacher asked , “ Did you read ‘ The Secret Life of Walter Mitty ’ ? ” “ Did you read ‘ The Secret Life of Walter Mitty ’ ? ” asked the teacher . “ Did the teacher say , ‘ You have homework ’ ? ” asked Lynn . Lynn asked , “ Did the teacher say , ‘ You have homework ’ ? ”

Practice10. the teacher asked have you read the short story titled The

Dog That Bit People11. I just finished reading The Dog That Bit People last night

replied Mary Ann12. have you read the poem titled Brief Summer asked the

teacher13. did the teacher say your homework is due Monday

morning asked Rita14. Rita asked did the teacher say your homework is due

Monday morning5. Jan asked did the teacher say your homework is due Friday15. did the teacher say you have homework tonight asked

Sally

Homework #3

• Must complete on your own notebook paper.• Do all problems.• Due Monday, August 31.

Homework #3 Answers1. In a minute said the announcer the show will begin“In a minute,” said the announcer, “the show will begin.”

2. who said we have nothing to fear but fear itself asked the history teacher

“Who said, ‘We have nothing to fear but fear itself’?” asked the history teacher.

3. the history teacher asked who said we have nothing to fear but fear itself

The history teacher asked, “Who said, ‘We have nothing to fear but fear itself’?”

4. the doctor asked how long have you had these symptomsThe doctor asked, “How long have you had these symptoms?”

5. the doctor asked me how long I had had these symptomsIndirect

6. show me your driver’s license stated the police officer“Show me your driver’s license,” stated the police officer.

7. the police officer stated show me your driver’s licenseThe police officer stated, “Show me your driver’s license.”

8. school will be cancelled tomorrow explained Ms. Rogers the blizzard has everyone snowed in

“School will be cancelled tomorrow,” explained Ms. Rogers. “The blizzard has everyone snowed in.”

9. the police officer asked me to show him my driver’s licenseIndirect

10. are you sure asked Brad that we are having a test“Are you sure,” asked Brad, “that we are having a test?”

11. I think said Mary that we are lost“I think,” said Mary, “that we are lost.”

12. Dennis asked do you want to play soccerDennis asked, “Do you want to play soccer?”

13. Dennis asked if we wanted to play soccerIndirect

14. you children have made a mess she shouted angrily“You children have made a mess!” she shouted angrily.

15. she shouted angrily you children have made a messShe shouted angrily, “You children have made a mess!”

16. are you happy with the current government asked the politician vote for me and I will make a difference

“Are you happy with the current government?” asked the politician. “Vote for me and I will make a difference.”

Direct Quotes Test

• Wednesday, September 2• On your own notebook paper.• Same format as the homework