Commas with Quotation Marks and Speaker Tags in Dialogue

Commas with Quotation Marks and Speaker Tags in Dialogue   

Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.            

Common Core Language Standard 2

Comma placement in dialogue can be challenging. One reason things get confusing is that we Americans like to place most punctuation, including commas, inside our quotation marks. The British like to keep punctuation outside.

Today’s mechanics lesson is on commas with quotation marks and speaker tags in dialogue. Remember that a speaker tag is the person speaking and the connected verb. Also remember to begin a new paragraph whenever the speaker changes in dialogue.

Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.

In dialogue sentences, place commas:

After a beginning speaker tag to the left of the quotation marks. Example: I said, “No.”

Before and after a middle speaker tag to the left of both quotation marks. Example: “We must go,” I explained, “before it’s too late.”

Before an ending speaker tag to the left of the quotation marks. Example: “Go,” I plead.

Practice: 

I said, “Text me when you can.”

“If I do have time to text,” he explained “it will have to be late tonight.”

“I’ll still be awake” she replied.

Let’s check the Practice Answers.

Mechanics Practice Answers:

I said, “Text me when you can.”

“If I do have time to text,” he explained,“it will have to be late tonight.”

“I’ll still be awake,” she replied.

Now let’s apply what we’ve learned.

Writing Application: Write three of your own sentences using beginning, middle, and ending speaker tags.

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Mark Pennington, M.A. Reading Specialist

Thirty-six years teaching ELA and reading, elementary through community college, plus district reading specialist. He wrote every program on this site.

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