Dialogue and Quotation Marks — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
Hello she said.
Corrected: "Hello," she said.
Direct speech must be enclosed in quotation marks, with a comma separating the quote from the tag.
2. Fix the sentence:
"come here," Dad called.
Corrected: "Come here," Dad called.
The first word of direct speech begins a new sentence and requires a capital letter.
3. Fix the sentence:
"I love pizza". said Mia.
Corrected: "I love pizza," said Mia.
American style places commas and periods inside the closing quotation mark.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. "It is raining ," said Tom.
Commas separate the spoken words from the dialogue tag and sit inside the quotes.
2. Lisa shouted, "Watch out!"
Opening quotation marks signal the start of the speaker's exact words.
3. "That movie was great," she said.
Dialogue tags need a subject and verb to identify who is speaking.
4. "Run faster!" the coach yelled.
Dialogue verbs like yelled or shouted match the tone of exclaimed speech.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Rewrite this sentence with correct dialogue punctuation: I am tired said Ben.
Sample answer: "I am tired," said Ben.
Dialogue requires quotation marks, a comma inside the quotes, and a tag identifying the speaker.
2. Write one sentence with a character saying hello, using correct quotation marks.
Sample answer: "Hello, friend," Maya said warmly.
Proper dialogue uses quotation marks, capitalization, and a comma before the tag.