DIALOGUING RULES

“How do I do that?” she asked.

 Rule 1: Put quotation marks
around speech
• Examples:

“Where did the cheese go?” Jimmy Ween questioned.

“I love you,” mumbled Jessica.

 Rule 1: Put quotation marks
around speech
• YOU TRY IT! 

1. Happy Birthday! we shouted.

2. She was surprised and said, Thank you so much.

 Rule 2: Capitalize first letter of
Dialogue
• Examples:

“Clean up this mess,” said mom.

The farmer was astounded and he asked, “Where did all

of the crops go?”
 Rule 2: Capitalize first letter of
Dialogue
• Fix these sentences:

1. “make sure you tell him you’re going to the dance,”

Jolene whispered.

2. Esperanza was excited about her potential date and

shouted, “yes, I totally will!”
 Rule 3: Punctuation goes inside
quotation marks
• Examples:

“Jamal, are you ready for class?” Mrs. Herring asked.

Ms. Popkin was excited and told the class, “Great job,
guys!”
 Rule 3: Punctuation goes inside
quotation marks
• Now, YOU TRY IT:

“How are you doing today” asked Carmen.

Rule 4: A period becomes a comma
in quotations
• Examples:

It is so good to see you .

,
“It is so good to see you ” muttered Eleanor.

I think you should sit down .

,
“I think you should sit down ” cautioned Eleanor.
Rule 4: period becomes a comma in
quotations
• YOU TRY IT! 

“Don’t act like you don’t know who I am” said Peter.
 Rule 5: When dialogue is interrupted,
punctuate before and after

• Examples:

“What,” she asked, “is your problem?”

,
“Now is the time ” he interjected, “to party!”
 Rule 5: When dialogue is interrupted,
punctuate before and after

• Now you try:

“Why” she asked “are you sitting in the wrong seat?”

 Putting the rules together
• She was upset and asked Daniel what will I do

• Why Maria asked can’t the Phillies just win

• I can’t believe it she exclaimed