Grade 6 Primary English Punctuation Marks – Quotation Marks Notes
Primary English — Punctuation Marks
Subtopic: Quotation Marks (age 11, Kenya)
What are quotation marks?
Quotation marks (" ") are punctuation marks we use to show the exact words someone said or wrote. They help readers know what was spoken or quoted.
Use 1 — Direct speech (exact words someone said)
Example: Mama said, "Come home early."
Example: Mama said, "Come home early."
Use 2 — Quoting a sentence or a short title
Example: The teacher read "The Little Red Hen".
Example: The teacher read "The Little Red Hen".
Simple rules you must remember
- Put quotation marks around the exact words a person speaks. Example: "I am tired," said John.
- Start a new line each time a different person speaks in a conversation or story.
- If a speech is introduced by a reporting word (said, asked, shouted), use a comma before the quotation: She said, "Let's go."
- If the reporting word comes in the middle, separate the parts with commas: "I will," said Mary, "be ready."
- If the spoken words are a question or exclamation, put the question mark or exclamation mark inside the quotation marks: He asked, "Are you coming?"
- If the whole sentence (not the quoted part) is a question, put the question mark outside: Did he really say, "I will finish it"?
- For a quote inside a quote, use single quotation marks inside double ones: "She whispered, 'Be quiet,' and smiled."
Dialogue example (new line for each speaker):
"Are you ready?" asked Tom.
"Yes," said Amina. "Let's go to the market."
"Don't forget your money," warned Tom.
Where to place commas and full stops (easy guide)
- If the comma or full stop is part of the words spoken, it stays inside the quotation marks.
- If it belongs to the whole sentence (not said words), it goes outside.
Examples:
- He whispered, "Be careful." (full stop belongs to the spoken sentence)
- Did he say, "I will come"? (question mark belongs to the whole sentence, so it follows the quote)
Practice — put quotation marks correctly
- mama said come home now
- are you coming asked james
- i will be late she said
- the poem is called the road not taken
- he shouted watch out
Answers
- Mama said, "Come home now."
- "Are you coming?" asked James.
- "I will be late," she said.
- The poem is called "The Road Not Taken".
- He shouted, "Watch out!"
Tip: In school writing, use double quotation marks (" ") for speech. For a quote inside a quote use single marks (' '). Always start a new line for each speaker — this makes your story clear and easy to read.
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Example speech bubble: "Hurry up! The bus will leave soon," said Wanjiru.
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