Basic dialogue punctuation

One of the most common problems for aspiring writers is properly punctuating dialogue. Fortunately, the correct form isn't that difficult.

A simple line of dialogue that isn't directly attributed to a speaker should be punctuated inside the quotation marks. Complete sentences before and after it are set off with periods.

Xena settled herself by the fire. "I'm starved."

Gabrielle handed the warrior a bowl. "Isn't that my line?" She had already finished her own supper.

If you want to directly identify the speaker, use the word "said" followed by a comma, then the quotation marks for the dialogue.

Scowling at her food, the warrior said, "Leeks? You know I hate leeks!"

When you put "said" *after* the dialogue, keep the comma *inside* the quotation marks and use a lowercase letter for the first word outside the quotation marks.

"You're beautiful when you're angry," said Gabrielle as she watched Xena throw the bowl into the campfire.

However, a question mark or an exclamation point takes the place of the comma.

"What did you just say?" Xena asked incredulously.

"You're beautiful!" repeated the bard.

If a sentence of dialogue has an attribution embedded in the middle, use commas on either side and continue with the next word of the sentence in lowercase.

"Don't you think," said the warrior uneasily, "that you've eaten enough of that nutbread?"

And if a character is addressed by name in the dialogue, that name should be set off by a comma.

"My thoughts exactly, Xena. I have other plans for tonight's dessert."

When dialogue is quoted inside of dialogue, use single quotation remarks to set it apart.

"What exactly do you mean by 'other plans'?"

When a character's dialogue continues for several paragraphs, drop the quote mark at the end of each intermediate paragraph.

Gabrielle smiled. "Well, as you know, I'm a bard. And as a bard, I have a highly developed imagination . . . which I've been exercising all evening long while I waited for you to arrive.

"Do you get my drift?

"Or do I have to draw you a picture?"

Xena swallowed, hard. Her pulse began to quicken. "Ah, that won't be necessary, Gabrielle. I have a rather good imagination myself at times."

For more advice on dialogue, go to Say it again, with feeling