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Writing Tips

Punctuating Dialogue

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➸ “This is a sentence.”

➸ “This is a sentence with a dialogue tag at the end,” she said.

➸ “This,” he said, “is a sentence split by a dialogue tag.”

➸ “This is a sentence,” she said. “This is a new sentence. New sentences are capitalized.”

➸ “This is a sentence followed by an action.” He stood. “They are separate sentences because he did not speak by standing.”

➸ She said, “Use a comma to introduce dialogue. The quote is capitalized when the dialogue tag is at the beginning.”

➸ “Use a comma when a dialogue tag follows a quote,” he said.

“Unless there is a question mark?” she asked.

“Or an exclamation point!” he answered. “The dialogue tag still remains uncapitalized because it’s not truly the end of the sentence.”

➸ “Periods and commas should be inside closing quotations.”

➸ “Hey!” she shouted, “Sometimes exclamation points are inside quotations.”

However, if it’s not dialogue exclamation points can also be “outside”!

➸ “Does this apply to question marks too?” he asked.

If it’s not dialogue, can question marks be “outside”? (Yes, they can.)

➸ “This applies to dashes too. Inside quotations dashes typically express—“

“Interruption” — but there are situations dashes may be outside.

➸ “You’ll notice that exclamation marks, question marks, and dashes do not have a comma after them. Ellipses don’t have a comma after them either…” she said.

➸ “My teacher said, ‘Use single quotation marks when quoting within dialogue.’”

➸ “Use paragraph breaks to indicate a new speaker,” he said.

“The readers will know it’s someone else speaking.”

➸ “If it’s the same speaker but different paragraph, keep the closing quotation off.

“This shows it’s the same character continuing to speak.”

Me trying to write chapter 2 to a fic I initially planned as a oneshot

*emerges from the other room covered in blood* you should see the word document

Going to watch Red One tonight, I look forward to seeing Chris Evans play a little shit

The Predator (2018) had no business making the Loonies so adorable. The scene in the motel where Casey is sleeping off a tranquilliser and the guys just put stuff around her in an attempt for her to have comfort when she wakes up to a room full of army (and three marines) guys. One even puts down a cup and saucer of what may be tea next to her. There’s a collection of little things and an alfoil unicorn.

Later in the scene they’re helping one of them who said something because of his Tourettes (played by an actor with Tourettes and the director wrote his character having Tourettes so he could tic comfortably in front of the camera) and they’re all like nah he said this and Casey’s like ?? Another adorable moment.

When they’re in Quinn’s wife’s (ex?) house and they’re all wanting to watch tv?

When Casey says the predator dog is hers now and they all follow along with it?

I knew I would enjoy this movie ONLY because of the little team they made and their adorableness. (And because I think Olivia Munn, who plays Casey, is pretty.

God bless the sickos over at the AO3 for providing the absolute most conceptually bizarre yet extremely compelling fiction for free.

What the hell was that captain tuttle episode? That was amazing

God he’s looking extra adorable this season

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