1. The Basics:
* Commas: Use commas to separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence if the quotation is a complete sentence.
* Periods: Place periods inside quotation marks if the quotation is a complete sentence. Place the period outside the quotation marks if the quotation is part of a longer sentence.
* Question Marks and Exclamation Points: Place these punctuation marks inside the quotation marks if they belong to the quoted material. Place them outside the quotation marks if they belong to the entire sentence.
2. Placement:
* At the Beginning of a Sentence: If the quotation starts the sentence, follow it with a comma and continue your sentence.
* In the Middle of a Sentence: If the quotation is in the middle of a sentence, use commas to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
* At the End of a Sentence: If the quotation ends the sentence, place a period after the quotation mark.
3. Specific Examples:
* Complete Sentence: "The sky is blue," she said.
* Partial Sentence: He asked, "Where are you going?"
* Quotation within a Sentence: She said, "I like your new hat, it's very "stylish."
* Interrupted Quotation: "I'm not sure," he said, "but I think it's time to go."
* Introducing the Speaker: According to John Smith, "The earth is round."
4. Use Ellipses:
* Use ellipses (...) to indicate omitted words from a quotation.
* Example: "The sky is blue... and it's a beautiful day."
5. Brackets:
* Use brackets to add clarifying information or to change the tense or wording within a quotation.
* Example: "I [have] been to the store today," he said.
6. Quoting Poetry:
* Use forward slashes (/) to separate lines of poetry.
* Example: "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost begins, "Whose woods these are I think I know/ His house is in the village though."
7. Accuracy:
* Always strive for accuracy when quoting. Double-check your sources and make sure you are representing the original text faithfully.
Key Tips:
* Clarity: Use quotations to enhance your writing, not to overwhelm it.
* Flow: Ensure your quotations blend seamlessly into your sentences.
* Punctuation: Pay attention to the placement of punctuation marks inside and outside quotation marks.
Remember, the way you integrate quotations is essential for clear and effective communication.