Quotation Mark

The HSGQE will expect you to know how to properly use quotation marks in your writing. You could avoid this by simply not including anything resembling a quote in your paper, but why not learn the rules and remove any obstacles in your path to becoming a prolific writer?

There are seven rules regarding quotation marks and I suggest that you learn them. I make this suggestion for three reasons: firstly, anytime you learn something you are developing your brain, and that is a good thing; secondly, the HSGQE may ask you to recognize and identify the correct use of quotation marks (sorry, just avoiding them in your writing won't cut it); and third and lastly, understanding how quotation marks function will improve your reading comprehension and thereby improve your life!

1. Use quotation marks for a direct quotation (i.e., the exact words).

Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Man has his will, but woman has her way."

2. Use quotation marks to enclose a word or phrase that is defined.

The word "waqaa" is Yup'ik for hello.

3. Use quotation marks to enclose words or phrases following such terms as entitled, the word(s), the term, marked, designated, classified, named, endorsed, or signed.

The check was endorsed "John Hancock."

The word "impossible" is not in my dictionary. Napoleon

4. Use quotation marks to indicate a misnomer or special meaning for a word.

Some "antiques" would more accurately be described as junk.

5. Use quotation marks to enclose titles of component books of whole publications: chapters or other divisions of a book; articles in periodicals; songs; stories, essays, poems, and the like, in anthologies or similiar collections.

Titles of whole published works such as books, periodicals, plays, and reports should be underlined or italicized.

6. Punctuation with quotation marks.

Punctuation associated with quotation marks is sometimes more troublesome than the quotation marks themselves. Here is the best rule:

Comma and final period are placed inside the quotation marks. Other punctuation marks are placed outside the quotation marks unless they are part of the material being quoted.

She shouted, Dinner time!"

He had the nerve to answer "No"!

Have you seen "Saving Private Ryan"?

Who asked "Why?"

7. Use single quotation marks to indicate a quote within a quote.

Kin Hubbard wrote: When a fellow says, 'It ain't the money but the principle of the thing,' it's the money.' "

Go to The Guide to Grammar and Writing section on Quotation Marks.

Return back to Grammar Rules page.