Lesson 2 - Direct Quotations at the End of Sentences

Discussion

·         A direct quotation is a record of the exact words spoken. What punctuation mark is used to show a sentence contains a direct quotation?

·         The source words name the speaker and give clues to how the direct quotation is spoken. What punctuation mark separates the "who said" part of the sentence (the source phrase) from the direct quotation?

·         Who is talking in sentence 1, sentence 2, and sentence 3?

The Five Rules for Writing Direct Quotations

Rule 1 Find the direct quotation. Place quotation marks around ("  ") the quote.

Let's practice Rule 1 by adding quotation marks to the following sentences.

The mayor said, Out loud please.

Lina said in a choked whisper, Pipeworks laborer.

The mayor said, Louder.

Lina said again, her voice loud and cracked, Pipeworks laborer.

Rule 2 Separate the source phrase from the direct quotation. With sentences in which the source phrase comes at the beginning of the sentence this is done with a comma.

Rule 3 Capitalize the first word of the direct quotation.

Now practice Rules 1, 2, and 3 by adding quotation marks, commas, and capital letters in the following sentences. Show which letters should be capitalized by adding the three line editing mark () below each letter that should be capitalized.

Lina questioned trade?

Doon explained trade jobs. I don't want to waste my time being a messenger.

Lina gaped at him you'd rather be in the Pipeworks?

Doon said electrician's helper is what I wanted.

Rule 4 Place a period (.), question mark (?), or and exclamation mark (!) at the end of the sentence before the ending quotation mark.

Practice Rules 1, 2, 3, and 4 by placing quotation marks ("  ") around the quote, separating the source phrase from the direct quotation with a comma, capitalizing the first word of the direct quotation, and placing a period (.), question mark (?), or and exclamation mark (!) at the end of the sentence before the ending quotation mark.

Granny asked when do you start

Lina answered tomorrow

Granny said you'll be a famous messenger

Rule 5 Remember all other capitalization and punctuation rules.

Proofread the following sentences of conversation. Put in editing marks to show which letters should be capitalized. Insert all commas, apostrophes, periods, question marks, exclamation marks, and quotation marks where needed.

1.      grannys eyes lit up as she exclaimed messenger is a grand job

2.      poppy said something that sounded like hoppy hoppy hoppy

3.      the captain turned towards lina and said your station is garn square

4.      lina nodded i always go fast

5.      the captain went on deliver a message only to the person its meant for

6.      he said this goes to ravenet parsons 18 selverton square

7.      he growled old turniphead

8.      she always said in a precise voice what you need to learn children is the difference between right and wrong in every area of life

9.      here she would stop and point to the class and the class would finish the sentence you must always choose the right

10.  now here was mrs polsteragain pronouncing her message to annisette lefrond 39 humm street

11.  lina said i got it

12.  lina repeated delivery at eight

13.  the guard said good day

14.  lina responded i have a message for the mayor

15.  barton snode heaved himself to his feet saying very good

16.  lina said i have to give it to the mayor in person

17.  the date sign might say wednesday week 38 year 227

18.  he grabbed her by the arm saying you have caused a commotion

19.  he shouted halt

20.  lina said i was just curious

----------Key----------

Rule 1
The mayor said, “Out loud please.”
Lina said in a choked whisper, “Pipeworks laborer.”
The mayor said, “Louder.”
Lina said again, her voice loud and cracked, “Pipeworks laborer.”

Rule 2
Suddenly Doon spoke up, “But Ember is not prospering!”
He cried, “Everything is getting worse and worse!”
The mayor cried, “Silence!”
Doon cried, “The blackouts!”
Doon continued, “The lights go out all the time now!”

 

Rule 3

Lina questioned, “Trade?”
Doon explained, “Trade jobs. I don't want to waste my time being a messenger.”
Lina gaped at him, “You'd rather be in the Pipeworks?”
Doon said, “Electrician's helper is what I wanted.”

Rule 4
Granny asked, “When do you start?”
Lina answered, “Tomorrow.”
Granny said, “You'll be a famous messenger.”

1.      Granny’s eyes lit up as she exclaimed, “Messenger is a grand job!”

2.      Poppy said something that sounded like, “Hoppy, hoppy, hoppy.”
Poppy said something that sounded like, “Hoppy! Hoppy! Hoppy!”

3.      The captain turned towards Lina and said, “Your station is Garn Square.”

4.      Lina nodded, “I always go fast.”

5.      The captain went on, “Deliver a message only to the person it’s meant for.”

6.      He said, “This goes to Ravenet Parsons, 18 Selverton Square.”

7.      He growled, “Old turniphead.”

8.      She always said in a precise voice, “What you need to learn, children, is the difference between right and wrong in every area of life.”

9.      Here she would stop and point to the class and the class would finish the sentence, “You must always choose the right.”

10.  Now here was Mrs. Polsteragain pronouncing her message, “To Annisette Lefrond, 39 Humm Street.”

11.  Lina said, “I got it.”

12.  Lina repeated, “Delivery at eight.”

13.  The guard said, “Good day.”

14.  Lina responded, “I have a message for the mayor.”

15.  Barton Snode heaved himself to his feet saying, “Very good.”

16.  Lina said, “I have to give it to the mayor in person.”

17.  The date sign might say, “Wednesday, Week 38, Year 227.”

18.  He grabbed her by the arm saying, “You have caused a commotion.”

19.  He shouted, “Halt!”

20.  Lina said, “I was just curious.”