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Used to draw attention to something, quotation marks can indicate the words of others, or suggest that care be taken with particular words or phrases.
Used to draw attention to something, quotation marks can indicate the words of others, or suggest that care be taken with particular words or phrases.
Quotation marks (inverted commas, speech marks) - single or double punctuation marks that indicate reported speech, or signal to the reader that a word or phrase should not be taken as written.
Introduction
Introduction
Quotation marks have a variety of uses in written English; however, we must be careful when employing them.
Short and Long Quotations
Short and Long Quotations
If a quotation is short, it can be included within an existing sentence:
Example
The general told his troops, "We must hold the fort until dawn."
For longer quotations a block quotation is needed. This requires that the quotation be placed in a separate paragraph without quotation marks.
Block quotation - a long quotation that is placed in a separate paragraph.
The left margin of a block paragraph should be indented. The right margin of a block paragraph can also be indented, and a smaller font (or line spacing) can be used if desired.
Example
Professor Strunk made clear to readers of The Elements of Style that needless words should be omitted:
Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.
Style guides disagree on how many words or lines necessitate a block quotation (the Australian Government Style Guide suggests about 30 words). However, for most English assessments this question is redundant because block quotes should be avoided.
However, in English assignments we should generally avoid block quotations and instead quote only the precise language that we have chosen to analyse.
Top Tip! Avoid block quotations in English assessment tasks.
Single and Double Quotation Marks
Single and Double Quotation Marks
In British/Australian English, single quotation marks (‘ ’) are used for reported speech. In American English, double quotation marks (“ ”) are used.
British/Australian English
President Obama repeated his oft-used campaign slogan: 'Yes we can'.
American English
President Obama repeated his oft-used campaign slogan: "Yes we can."
However, American English has permeated Australian English to such an extent that double quotation marks are now very common. Indeed, I have chosen to use them here on this website (with apologies to the Australian Government Style Guide).
Regardless, the most important thing is that you use the style your teacher is expecting in your assessment tasks.
Top tip! Check with your teacher to see whether they prefer single or double quotation marks.
Quotations within quotations
Quotations within quotations
If a quotation we are using includes a quotation of its own, we should use the "opposite" quotation marks for the second quote.
(i.e. if we are using double quotation marks throughout a document we should use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.)
Consider the following examples which adhere to the British/Australian or American conventions for this rule.
British/Australian English
Vice President Biden added his support: 'I concur with the President's words: "Yes we can."'
American English
Vice President Biden added his support: "I concur with the President's words: 'Yes we can.'"
Punctuating Quotation Marks
Punctuating Quotation Marks
There is slight deviation between British/Australian English and American English regarding the punctuation of language contained within quotation marks.
Both styles agree that if a quotation contains punctuation marks, these marks should be placed within the quotation marks
However, there is disagreement about where to put commas that are not part of the original quotation.
In British/Australian English, commas are placed outside of quotation marks.
In American English, commas are placed inside quotation marks, even if they are not in the original text.
Original text
When I am elected I promise to get things done.
British/Australian English
He said that we would 'get things done', but we are yet to see the results.
American English
He said that we would "get things done," but we are yet to see the results.
Introducing a Quotation
Introducing a Quotation
There are several ways to introduce a quotation into our writing.
With a comma
With a comma
Most quotations can be introduced with a comma.
Examples
The waiter asked, "What would you like to drink?"
Captain Nesmith cried, "Never give up. Never surrender!"
With a colon
With a colon
A colon can be used to introduce a quotation if the text introducing the quotation, and/or the quotation itself, is an independent clause.
Example
He replied with just one word: "No."
She declared: "Never again will we allow others to dictate our lives."
Oscar Wilde was known for his wit: "I can resist everything except temptation."
A colon can also be used to introduce a block quotation.
With a full stop
With a full stop
Like a colon, a full stop can be used to introduce a block quotation.
Without punctuation
Without punctuation
When a quotation can be elegantly integrated into an existing sentence, no punctuation mark is required.
Example
The mayor praised the project's "positive impact on the overall community."
The call to "hurry up!" was often heard in my house when I was growing up.
Very short quotations can also be introduced without punctuation.
Example
We tried to persuade him but he said "No way."
Finally, if a block quotation flows directly from an introductory phrase, no punctuation mark is required.
Other Uses of Quotation Marks
Other Uses of Quotation Marks
Sneer quotes
Sneer quotes
Also known as scare quotes, sneer quotes are a way to indicate to our reader that we are doubtful of a word or phrase we are presenting.
Double quotation marks should be used for sneer quotes.
Examples
The "report" gave us little indication of the scale of the problem.
Sneer quotes can also be used to indicate a euphemism; that is, a word or phrase that is used in lieu of another that is less pleasant.
Examples
He has been "taken care of" your majesty.
In formal writing sneer quotes should generally be avoided. Instead, words such as supposed or apparent can be used in their place.
Examples
The supposed report offered little indication of the scale of the problem.
Nicknames
Nicknames
Double quotation marks can be used to place a person's nickname within their actual name.
Example
Jake "Snake" Pliskin.
Marilyn "The Blonde Bombshell" Monroe.
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