Module 6.5: Quotation marks Flashcards
What is the usual practice for quotation marks in British and Australian English?
Use single quotation marks for quotes and double quotation marks for quotes within quotes.
Example: ‘Are you quite sure,’ said Margaret, ‘that you know what a “McGuffin” is?’
What is the standard practice for quotation marks in American English?
Use double quotation marks for quotes and single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.
Example: “Are you quite sure,” said Margaret, “that you know what a ‘McGuffin’ is?”
When proofreading, what is important to ensure regarding quotation marks?
Consistency within the document being proofread.
Some institutions and style guides may allow either single or double quotation marks.
In American English, where do commas and periods go in relation to quotation marks?
They always go within quotation marks.
Example: The briefcase in Pulp Fiction has been described as “the archetypal McGuffin.”
In British and Australian English, where do commas and periods go in relation to quotation marks?
Inside quotation marks only when part of the quoted material; otherwise, outside.
Example: The briefcase in Pulp Fiction has been described as ‘the archetypal McGuffin.’
What is an exception to the comma and period placement rule in British and Australian English?
Dialogue punctuation is always placed inside the closing quotation mark.
Example: ‘Of course I know,’ Harold snapped, ‘I’m an expert on McGuffins.’
How should question marks and exclamation marks be placed in relation to quotation marks?
They go inside quotation marks if part of the quotation, outside if part of the surrounding text.
Example: He just said, ‘the sky is orange’!
What is the rule for colons, semicolons, and dashes when quoting?
They appear within quotation marks if part of the quoted text; otherwise, they go outside.
Example: Jones says that ‘punctuation is about one thing: accuracy.’
What is the general rule for capitalizing the first word in a quotation?
Capitalize the first word of a complete sentence; leave it lowercase if it’s part of a larger sentence.
Example: Einstein said that ‘The only source of knowledge is experience.’
What is the difference between quotation marks and italics in titles?
Italics are used for longer works; quotation marks for shorter works.
Example: ‘Goodbyeee’ is an episode title, while Blackadder is a show title.
What are scare quotes?
Quotation marks used to highlight particular words, often implying irony or borrowed terms.
Example: The ‘fresh’ bread I bought today turned out to be moldy.
What is a guideline for using scare quotes effectively?
Use scare quotes to introduce a term, but leave them out in subsequent uses of the same term.
What are two common situations for unnecessary quotation marks?
- Used for emphasis
- In reported speech
Example for emphasis: We always cook using ‘fresh’ ingredients.
True or False: In American English, question marks always go inside quotation marks.
False
They go inside if part of the quotation, outside if part of the surrounding text.
