) below each letter that should be capitalized.Lesson 3 - Direct Quotations at the Beginning of Sentences
In this lesson you will learn the rules for writing conversation when the "who said" part (the source phrase) comes last.
Examples:
"This way," said Arlin, without saying hello or smiling.
"You'll be in Tunnel 97 today," Lister said.
"Yes!" Doon shouted back.
"Can we go in?" Doon asked Arlin.
Discussion
The Five Rules for Writing Direct Quotations
| Rule 1 | Rule 2 | Rule 3 | Rule 4 | Rule 5 |
| Add quotation marks. | Separate source phrase from quote. | Capitalize the first word of the direct quotation. | Add end marks. | Add needed capitalization and punctuation. |
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.
Of course not! said Arlin.
Where does it go? Doon asked.
We have to turn the shut-off valve, take the pipe apart, put on a new connector, and stick it back together again, explained Arlin.
Rule 2 Separate the source phrase from the direct quotation. A comma, rather than a period, is placed immediately after the last word spoken, except when a question mark or an exclamation mark is needed.
Note: The comma, question mark, or exclamation mark is placed between the last word of the direct quotation and the closing quotation mark.
Practice Rules 1 and 2 by placing quotation marks and commas, question marks, or exclamation marks in the sentences below.
Back into the ground, I guess shrugged Arlin.
I want to learn about the generator Doon screamed.
Rule 3 Capitalize the first word of the direct quotation.
Now practice Rules 1, 2,
and 3 by adding quotation marks, commas, question marks, or exclamation marks
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.
can you explain to me about the generator he asked.
who knows the man shrugged.
oh, I hit you, Father Doon said as his anger drained away.
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Rule 4 Place a period (.) at the end of the sentence. A period is used after the source phrase because the quotation and source phrase together are the total sentence making the sentence a statement telling you what a person said. 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, question mark, or
exclamation mark, capitalizing ( |
got me in the ear he said
i got angry for a second said Doon
i see said his father
does it have to do with your first day at work, Son said his father
yes said Doon
why don't you tell me about it he said
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, periods, question marks, exclamation marks, and quotation marks where needed.
1. ive had it for five days now said doon
2. youre writing all this down questioned father
3. maybe youll find some interesting new bugs in the pipeworks father said
4. maybe said doon
5. what are you doing lina cried
6. something is lost granny answered
7. whats lost granny lina questioned
8. i dont quite recall said the old woman
9. but granny youre ruining the couch lina exclaimed
10. it doesnt matter she said
11. lets put it back now lina said
12. you dont know said granny darkly
13. wheres the baby she cried
14. oh yes shes . . . i think shes down in the shop said granny
15. by herself lina yelled as she ran down the stairs
Practice what you have learned in Lessons 1 and 2. Read the following sentences. Decide where to insert capitalization and punctuation.
1. they heard him talking about it when he died she said to lina
2. they heard who talking lina questioned
3. granny answered my grandfather the seventh mayor
4. and what did they hear him say lina asked
5. granny said with a faraway look ah thats the mystery
6. now all is lost he said
7. lina asked but what was it
8. he didnt say grandmother answered
9. will you look in on her sometimes and make sure things are all right she asked
10. mrs murdo nodded twice and said i will certainly
11. id hate it if we couldnt have potatoes anymore lina said
12. i would too said clary
13. clary hesitated and glanced sideways at lina it hasnt worked right for a long time
14. lina told clary i have to take arbin swinn the answer to his message
15. i hope youll come again said clary
----------Key----------
Rule 1
“Of course not!”
said Arlin.
“Where does it go?”
Doon asked.
Rule 2
“Back into the ground, I guess,”
shrugged Arlin.
“I want to learn about the generator!”
Doon screamed.
Rule 3
“Can you explain to me about the generator?”
he asked.
“Who knows,” the
man shrugged.
“Oh, I hit you, Father,”
Doon said as his anger drained away.
Rule 4
“Got me in the ear,”
he said.
“I got angry for a second,” said Doon.
“I see,” said his
father.
“Does it have to do with your first day at work,
Son?” said his father.
“Yes,” said Doon.
“Why don't you tell me about it?”
he said.
Rule 5
1. “I’ve had it for five days now,” said Doon.
2. “You’re writing all this down?” questioned Father.
3. “Maybe you’ll find some interesting new bugs in the Pipeworks,” Father said.
4. “Maybe,” said Doon.
5. “What are you doing?” Lina cried.
6. “Something is lost,” Granny answered.
7. “What’s lost, Granny?” Lina questioned.
8. “I don’t quite recall,” said the old woman.
9. “But, Granny, you’re ruining the couch!” Lina exclaimed.
10. “It doesn’t matter,” she said.
11. “Let’s put it back now,” Lina said.
12. “You don’t know,” said Granny darkly.
13. “Where’s the baby?” she cried.
14. “Oh yes, she’s . . . I think she’s down in the shop,” said Granny.
15. “By herself!” Lina yelled as she ran down the stairs.
1. “They heard him talking about it when he died,” she said to Lina.
2. “They heard who talking?” Lina questioned.
3. Granny answered, “My grandfather, the seventh mayor.
4. “And what did they hear him say?” Lina asked.
5. Granny said with a faraway look, “Ah, that’s the mystery.”
6. “Now all is lost,” he said.
7. Lina asked, “But what was it?”
8. “He didn't say,” Grandmother answered.
9. “Will you look in on her sometimes and make sure things are all right?” she asked.
10. Mrs. Murdo nodded twice and said, “I will, certainly.”
11. “I’d hate it if we couldn’t have potatoes anymore,” Lina said.
12. “I would too,” said Clary.
13. Clary hesitated and glanced sideways at Lina, “It hasn’t worked right for a long time.”
14. Lina told Clary, “I have to take Arbin Swinn the answer to his message.”
15. “I hope you’ll come again,” said Clary.
