What punctuation do you use before dialogue?

Dialogue is punctuated by quotation marks to show when it begins and ends. Dialogue will usually include a dialogue tag to describe who is speaking. You would then use common punctuation marks within the quotation marks, such as commas, periods, question marks and exclamation points.

How do you punctuate a dialogue question?

In dialogue, treat question marks the same way you treat other punctuation marks; put them inside the quotation marks. “When are you leaving?” he asked. “Will you take care of this mail?” Liam held out the stack of envelopes. Notice the tag in the first example.

Do you use inverted commas in a dialogue?

When your sentence ends with a dialogue tag, you use a comma inside the quotation marks. When you are not using dialogue tags, you’ll want to put the period inside the quotation marks as well.

How do you arrange dialogue in a story?

How to Format Dialogue in a Story

1. Use Quotation Marks to Indicate Spoken Word.
2. Dialogue Tags Stay Outside the Quotation Marks.
3. Use a Separate Sentence for Actions That Happen Before or After the Dialogue.
4. Use Single Quotes When Quoting Something Within the Dialogue.
5. Use a New Paragraph to Indicate a New Speaker.

How do you punctuate dialogue in a novel?

8 Essential Rules for Punctuating Dialogue – article

1. Use a comma to introduce text.
2. Use a comma when a dialogue tag follows a quote.
3. Periods and commas fall within closing quotations.
4. Question marks, exclamation points, and dashes fall inside or outside closing quotations.
5. Use single quotes when using quotes within dialogue.

How do you know when to put a comma?

Commas (Eight Basic Uses)

1. Use a comma to separate independent clauses.
2. Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase.
3. Use a comma between all items in a series.
4. Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses.
5. Use a comma to set off appositives.
6. Use a comma to indicate direct address.
7. Use commas to set off direct quotations.

What are 3 things commas are used for?

Commas (Eight Basic Uses)

• Use a comma to separate independent clauses.
• Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase.
• Use a comma between all items in a series.
• Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses.
• Use a comma to set off appositives.
• Use a comma to indicate direct address.
• Use commas to set off direct quotations.

How do you layout dialogue?

Dialogue Format Rules

1. Enclose the spoken words with double quotation marks.
2. Dialogue tags (the he asked/she said portions) stay outside the quotes and get separated by a comma.
3. Actions that occur before or after the dialogue go in a separate sentence.
4. Punctuation goes inside the quotes.