Punctuating Dialogue

1. Punctuating Dialogue NOTES

2. I. The Basic Form • “Hello,” said Bob. 1. Period after hello becomes comma within quotation marks 2. Lowercase s for said • Bob said, “Hello.” • Comma after said • H in Hello remains capitalized • End with period inside quotation marks

3. II. The Interruption • One sentence then another. • “When you arrive, get some rest,” said Skippy. “You’ll need it.” • Period after Skippy because You’ll need it begins new sentence • Interruption of full sentence • “When you arrive,” said Skippy, “get some rest.” • Comma after arrive • comma after Skippy

4. III. Exclamation and Question Marks • “Ouch!” shouted Skippy. • “Who pinched me?” he asked. • Exclamation and question marks stay as they are in a quote; they do not become commas like periods do.

5. IV. Other Good Rules • When someone new speaks, you begin a new paragraph • In dialogue, punctuation marks ALWAYS go inside quotation marks. • Think about words besides said. • “You’re the best,” Susan beamed. • Dad roared, “Who did this!” • Sometimes no speaker identification is needed at all • Gary scratched his chin. “I’m confused.” “Of course.” Stevie rolled his eyes.

6. Dialogue Punctuation Review • Let’s go said Grandpa to the store • Wait! said Grandma we have to lock up first. • Don’t forget to buy butter said Grandpa • Grandma said don’t worry I have my shopping list right here • Did you remember your wallet asked Grandpa • Oh no said Grandma I locked it inside • That’s okay said Grandpa I can crawl through the window • Be careful said grandma • Grandpa sighed don’t worry

7. Dialogue Punctuation Review • “Let’s go,” said Grandpa, “to the store.” • Wait! said Grandma we have to lock up first. • Don’t forget to buy butter said Grandpa • Grandma said don’t worry I have my shopping list right here • Did you remember your wallet asked Grandpa • Oh no said Grandma I locked it inside • That’s okay said Grandpa I can crawl through the window • Be careful said grandma • Grandpa sighed don’t worry

8. Dialogue Punctuation Review • “Let’s go,” said Grandpa, “to the store.” • “Wait!” said Grandma. “We have to lock up first.” • Don’t forget to buy butter said Grandpa • Grandma said don’t worry I have my shopping list right here • Did you remember your wallet asked Grandpa • Oh no said Grandma I locked it inside • That’s okay said Grandpa I can crawl through the window • Be careful said grandma • Grandpa sighed don’t worry

9. Dialogue Punctuation Review • “Let’s go,” said Grandpa, “to the store.” • “Wait!” said Grandma. “We have to lock up first.” • “Don’t forget to buy butter,” said Grandpa. • Grandma said don’t worry I have my shopping list right here • Did you remember your wallet asked Grandpa • Oh no said Grandma I locked it inside • That’s okay said Grandpa I can crawl through the window • Be careful said grandma • Grandpa sighed don’t worry

10. Dialogue Punctuation Review • “Let’s go,” said Grandpa, “to the store.” • “Wait!” said Grandma. “We have to lock up first.” • “Don’t forget to buy butter,” said Grandpa. • Grandma said, “Don’t worry I have my shopping list right here.” • Did you remember your wallet asked Grandpa • Oh no said Grandma I locked it inside • That’s okay said Grandpa I can crawl through the window • Be careful said grandma • Grandpa sighed don’t worry

11. Dialogue Punctuation Review • “Let’s go,” said Grandpa, “to the store.” • “Wait!” said Grandma. “We have to lock up first.” • “Don’t forget to buy butter,” said Grandpa. • Grandma said, “Don’t worry I have my shopping list right here.” • “Did you remember your wallet?” asked Grandpa. • Oh no said Grandma I locked it inside • That’s okay said Grandpa I can crawl through the window • Be careful said grandma • Grandpa sighed don’t worry

12. Dialogue Punctuation Review • “Let’s go,” said Grandpa, “to the store.” • “Wait!” said Grandma. “We have to lock up first.” • “Don’t forget to buy butter,” said Grandpa. • Grandma said, “Don’t worry I have my shopping list right here.” • “Did you remember your wallet?” asked Grandpa. • “Oh no!” said Grandma. “I locked it inside.” • That’s okay said Grandpa I can crawl through the window • Be careful said grandma • Grandpa sighed don’t worry

13. Dialogue Punctuation Review • “Let’s go,” said Grandpa, “to the store.” • “Wait!” said Grandma. “We have to lock up first.” • “Don’t forget to buy butter,” said Grandpa. • Grandma said, “Don’t worry I have my shopping list right here.” • “Did you remember your wallet?” asked Grandpa. • “Oh no!” said Grandma. “I locked it inside.” • “That’s okay,” said Grandpa. “I can crawl through the window.” • Be careful said grandma • Grandpa sighed don’t worry

14. Dialogue Punctuation Review • “Let’s go,” said Grandpa, “to the store.” • “Wait!” said Grandma. “We have to lock up first.” • “Don’t forget to buy butter,” said Grandpa. • Grandma said, “Don’t worry I have my shopping list right here.” • “Did you remember your wallet?” asked Grandpa. • “Oh no!” said Grandma. “I locked it inside.” • “That’s okay,” said Grandpa. “I can crawl through the window.” • “Be careful,” said Grandma. • Grandpa sighed don’t worry

15. Dialogue Punctuation Review • “Let’s go,” said Grandpa, “to the store.” • “Wait!” said Grandma. “We have to lock up first.” • “Don’t forget to buy butter,” said Grandpa. • Grandma said, “Don’t worry I have my shopping list right here.” • “Did you remember your wallet?” asked Grandpa. • “Oh no!” said Grandma. “I locked it inside.” • “That’s okay,” said Grandpa. “I can crawl through the window.” • “Be careful,” said grandma. • Grandpa sighed. “Don’t worry.”