1. "Well, Debbie sighed, 'Parade over?'"
* This indicates Debbie sighed and then asked the question, "Parade over?"
2. "Well, Debbie sighed, 'Parade over.'"
* This indicates Debbie sighed and then said, "Parade over," with a finality or resignation.
3. "Well, Debbie sighed 'Parade over?'"
* This is less common but could be used if Debbie sighed while saying "Parade over?" It emphasizes the sigh more than the question.
Choosing the right punctuation
The most important thing is to choose the punctuation that best reflects the intended meaning and tone of the sentence. Consider:
* What is the speaker trying to convey? Is it a question, a statement, or a combination of both?
* What is the emotional tone of the sentence? Is it questioning, resigned, sarcastic, etc.?
In most cases, the first option (with a comma and quotation marks) is the most accurate and natural way to punctuate the sentence.