Answering Your Quotation Questions

If you're writing fiction, and you're not Cormac McCarthy, chances are you're using quotation marks. But are you using them correctly?

Let's go over the recommendations of the ​Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, the accepted style guide for American fiction.

​When to Use Quotation Marks
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Quotation marks have multiple uses. For this post, I'll be focusing on their uses in fiction, specifically, rather than in scholarly work.

The first use is direct discourse. Using quotation marks signals that a character is speaking.

Quotation marks can also be used to denote written material, such as notes and signs. Quotes are also commonly used when defining an unfamiliar foreign word, which is typically italicized. And they can be used to illustrate internal dialogue, or thoughts, and to set off titles of works.

​"Smart" Quotes vs. "Dumb" Quotes
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Modern word processors use "smart" quotes. These are curly quotes. "Dumb" quotes are straight quotes.

​Standard manuscript format calls for smart quotes. If you're working Microsoft Word, you can enable smart quotes by selecting Tools - Autocorrect Options - AutoFormat As You Type. Then check the box labeled "Straight quotes" with "smart quotes."

To replace all straight quotes in a document with smart quotes, simply follow the above steps to enable smart quotes. Then in the Find and Replace dialogue box, search for double quotation marks (") and replace them with the same symbol. Word will automatically format them as smart quotes.

​Note that single quotation marks and apostrophes can also be straight or smart. Consider apostrophes used in contractions.

Again, smart quotes are the standard. Enable and replace smart single quotes using the same steps you used for double quotation marks.

​CMOS 6.115, 6.117
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​Single Quotation Marks
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Single quotation marks are used in contractions and nested dialogue.

British style often uses single quotation marks instead of double quotation marks. Never mix single and double quotes. Whether, you choose to use double or single quotation marks, stick with your choice.

Some authors use single quotation marks for emphasis. However, Chicago advises against this practice and recommends double quotation marks or italics.

Use single quotation marks for dialogue within dialogue. The next level of nested dialogue takes double quotation marks, the next single, etc.

"Bobby said, 'I hate you because my friend said you're "the worst." ' "

When a single quotation mark is next to a double quotation mark, separate the two marks with a nonbreaking space. Using a nonbreaking space, rather than a normal space, ensures that one punctuation mark will not end up on a separate line. Insert a nonbreaking space by using Option+Space (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+Space (Windows).

​CMOS 13.30, 7.58

​Quotations and Line Breaks
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When you're using quotation marks to denote direct discourse, a line break typically signals a new speaker. So, you might write something like this:

"I don't want to go to the dance," Jenny said.
"I promise, gremlins won't attack you this time," Amy promised.

Note that using a line break without a change in speaker is likely to confuse your readers. For example:

"I don't want to go to the dance," Jenny said.
"Those gremlins stole my favorite earrings," she continued.

A reader is likely to assume Amy (or another character) is speaking the second line of dialogue, until they reach "she continued." We never want to confuse the reader and make them reread sentences or paragraphs. Following these types of conventions ensures the readers stays oriented and concerned only with the story.

However, if a single speaker has long blocks of dialogue, you may choose to break the dialogue into multiple paragraphs. When doing so, omit the closing quotation mark.

"I love giving long speeches," Jenny said. "The gremlins wouldn't sit still long enough to listen to them.
"But then I tied one to a chair and gave the entire speech."

Omitting the closing quotation mark before the line break signals to the reader that the speaker has not changed.

CMOS 13.39
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Quotations and Punctuation
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Figuring out where to place punctuation with dialogue can seem tricky, but the rules are pretty simple. For American style, here are the basic rules:

• Periods and commas always inside quotation marks.
• Exclamation points and question marks inside quotation marks only if they belong to the quoted material.

Here are a couple of examples.

The note read "I'll be back soon!"

Did she really mean it when she said, "I don't care about you"?

In the case of a quotation ending with a question mark or exclamation point, you can use both a question mark and exclamation point, if necessary.

Who shouted, "The building is on fire!"?

I love the song "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?"!

but

Did your dad ask, "Where have you been?"

Note that British style typically places all punctuation logically. Unlike in American style, British style would place the period outside the quotation mark if the period does not belong to the quoted material.

CMOS 6.126
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​Punctuating Dialogue Tags
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Use a comma before dialogue tags, such as he said/she said. Use a period if you end the dialogue without a tag. This includes when you use action tags. Also use a comma when the dialogue tag comes before the dialogue. If the dialogue tag breaks the sentence in two, use commas before and after the tag. A few examples:

"Unicorns are not real," he said.

"Actually, I rode one to work." She crossed her arms.

He said, "You're lying."

"You're right," she said. "It was a dragon."

"When you say these things," he said, "I don't know what to believe."

Note that if you use a question mark or exclamation mark, no comma is needed.

"Can I ride a dragon too?" he asked.

"You're not magical enough!" she said.

Note that when a direct quotation is introduced midsentence but forms a part of the surrounding sentence, no comma is needed.

The recipient said he was "extremely grateful."
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CMOS 6.40,  6.125, 13.14, 13.15

Using Quotation Marks in Fiction
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Those are the basics of utilizing quotations in fiction. I hope this answered some of you burning questions. If you have questions that I didn't cover, leave a comment below.

When you're ready for professional editing or proofreading, check out Blue Pen's services.

Related Articles:

• Writing Realistic Dialogue
• Proofreading Checklist
• Types of Editing