When writing articles, interviews, or novels, writers need to know how to punctuate a speaker’s words, whether those words are direct or
indirect quote, a dialogue between two or more people, or a character’s inaudible thoughts. Non-fiction writers use quotes and tags to
record exact or paraphrased speech, or to record the question and answer session of an interview. Fiction writers use quotes and tags
to depict fictional conversations.
Frequently Used Punctuation
Let’s consider the types of punctuation most often used to quote speech or depict fictional dialogue. For a full review, please refer
to Chicago Manual of Style or other grammar and style books.
- Tags: A device used to attribute quotes or dialogue to a speaker through either speech verbs or action. Use a comma to separate
direct quotes from speech verb tags. Do not use commas with action tags.
Examples of speech verb tags: he said, she cried, we yelled, Mary whispered.
Example of action tags: “Yes, ma’am!” Charlie saluted her. (Wishing on Dandelions, Mary E. DeMuth)
Through this tag, we know that Charlie spoke. Tags without speech verbs are action tags, also know as action beats in dialogue. Action tags can also add personality to a character, or “humanize” an interviewee for a reader.
- Quotation Marks used in direct and indirect quotes: Quotation marks signify the exact words of a speaker, a direct quote, typically used in non-fiction. Use a comma to separate the quote from a speech verb tag.
Correct: “You can’t blame me for high taxes,” Mayor White said today.
The example quotes the exact words, a direct quote, spoken by Mayor White; therefore, the quote is enclosed with quotation marks. Also note the use of a comma separating the quote from the speech verb tag.
Incorrect: The mayor said, “he can’t be blamed for high taxes.”
This example is a paraphrased version, an indirect quote, of the mayor’s statement; therefore, it should not be set apart by quotation marks. Also, commas are not used to separate indirect quotes from the tag.
Corrected version: The mayor said he can’t be blamed for high taxes.
- Dialogue in fiction – Fictional Dialogue can be spoken or internal. Use quotation marks to depict a conversation (spoken) between two or more characters. Again, commas separate direct quotes, actual words, from the speech verb tag identifying the speaker. Do not use commas if the tag does not contain a speech verb.
Correct: “Mind? Of course not. Any friend of the senator is a friend of mine.” She placed a hand on the senator’s shoulder. (Arms of Deliverance, Tricia Goyer)
Goyer’s correct example of direct dialogue is enclosed in quotation marks; and because the tag is an action tag, not a speech verb tag, it is treated as a separate sentence.
Incorrect: “Mind? Of course not. Any friend of the senator is a friend of mine,” she placed a hand on the senator’s shoulder.
My version of the dialogue wrongly punctuates an action tag with a comma. Punctuate action tags as separate sentences, without commas.
- Interior Dialogue - depicts a character’s non-verbal thoughts. Use of quotation marks to set off interior dialogue depends on the writer, according to Chicago Manual of Style. (However, many fiction text books discourage the use of quotation marks in interior dialogue.) Interior dialogue can be depicted in italics or plain font.
Correct: “They’re mine.” She wanted to add, just like this house, but, again, couldn’t voice her words. (Wishing on Dandelions, Mary E. DeMuth)
DeMuth’s example correctly depicts spoken dialogue in quotation marks, a beat tag punctuated as a separate sentence, and interior dialogue (thought) depicted in italics.
Incorrect: “They’re mine,” she wanted to add, “Just like this house,” but, again, couldn’t voice her words.
My version of the above dialogue incorrectly uses a comma to separate dialogue from an action or beat tag; and incorrectly punctuates spoken and interior dialogue (both in quotation marks) which can confuse the reader.
- Ellipses: Use ellipses to show faltering, fragmented, speech or dialogue; enclose in quotation marks. Use em dashes to show abrupt interruptions or broken off dialogue. Again, dialogue is enclosed with punctuation marks.
Correct: “It’s . . . well—”
Use of ellipses shows faltering, fragmented speech enclosed within quotation marks.
Correct: “It’s. . . well—”
Example correctly uses the em dash to portray abrupt, broken off dialogue.
Incorrect: “It’s, well—”
Example is punctuated incorrectly, if the writer intends to portray faltering, fragmented speech.
- Interview– Set the speaker’s name in small caps or other font (as required by editor) followed by a colon; indent each paragraph. Do not use quotation marks to set off question and answer responses in interviews.
Correct: VICKI MCCOLLUM: How does your Christian faith impact your writing?
DEEANNE GIST: It has a huge impact on my writing. The entire reason I write is to use the gifts and talents the Lord gave me to the best of my ability for glorifying Him. . . .
Incorrect: VICKI MCCOLLUM: “How does your Christian faith impact your writing?”
DEEANNE GIST: “It has a huge impact on my writing . . .”
About The Author:
Vicki Talley McCollum is a columnist, freelance writer, and visual artist. She also co-moderates FCW’s online critique
groups when she's not busy spending time with her husband and three children.
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