The Art of Quotation Marks

If punctuation were a toolbox, quotation marks would be the small but versatile multi-tool.

- BY RYAN G. VAN CLEAVE

They shape tone, highlight terms, and even reflect cultural quirks. These marks might seem simple; their influence is truly anything but.

DIALOGUE DONE RIGHT

Quotation marks connect readers with characters’ voices. But formatting them can trip up even seasoned writers. Here are some best practices:

PLACEMENT OF PUNCTUATION:

In American English, commas and periods go inside the quotation marks:

“I can't believe it,” Jane said.

“I can't believe it.”

In British English, punctuation placement varies, often depending on whether it’s part of the quoted material:

“I can’t believe it”, Jane said.

ATTRIBUTION TAGS:

Keep attribution simple to let dialogue shine:

“We should leave,” the treasure hunter said.

Avoid overloading tags with unnecessary adverbs:

“We should leave,” the treasure hunter said urgently.

NEW SPEAKER, NEW PARAGRAPH:

Each time a different character speaks, start a new paragraph to maintain clarity: