Quotation marks are used to set off direct speech from the rest of the words in a sentence.
Rules for using quotation marks
1. Quotation marks (" ") indicate the exact words a person speaks. They are not used when the speech is paraphrased or the quote is indirect.
Example
Incorrect: George said that "he was tired."
This is not a direct quote from George, but a paraphrase of what he said.
Correct: George said that he was tired.
2. Quotation marks are used around the only the words the person says. The words that indicate who said the quote are outside the quotation marks.
Example
"Carry Nation certainly made a name for herself!" said our history teacher.
3. The first word inside the quotation marks is always capitalized, even if there are other words in the sentence before the quote begins.
Example
Suzanne asked, "What did Carry Nation do?"
4. When the quotation ends the sentence, the end mark for the sentence goes inside the quotation mark.
Example
The teacher replied, "You will learn the answer soon."
5. When the portion of the sentence that indicates the speaker (the "said tag") comes before the quote, separate them with a comma.
Example
Our history teacher said, " She worked hard to spread the Temperance message."
6. When the quote comes before the "said tag," do not alter the end mark of the quote unless it is a period. In that case, change the period to a comma.
Example
"She could be very violent in convincing people of her opinion," the teacher explained.
7. In formal writing, if the "said tag" interrupts the quotation, try to place the interruption between sentences in the direct speech. Punctuate the end of the sentence after the said tag, and open new quotation marks to complete the sentence. It is not necessary to repeat the said tag.
Example
"She could be very violent in convincing people of her opinion," the teacher explained. "She broke bottles, smashed windows, and threw people out of saloons."
8. If a speaker makes a long quotation, you only need to open the quotation marks before his or her first word and close them when he or she has finished talking.
Example
"She could be very violent in convincing people of her opinion. She broke bottles, smashed windows, and threw people out of saloons," the teacher explained.