Do you put a comma or full stop after dialogue?

If your dialogue tag involves speech or voice (said, asked, answered, whispered), use a comma at the end of the dialogue line. But if your dialogue tag involves action (looked, smiled, shrugged), end the dialogue line with a period and start a new sentence.
 

What are the capitalization rules in dialogue?

Dialogue always starts with a capital letter, unless a sentence is interrupted by a tag or action and the same sentence then continues. In this case, use lower case to continue the dialogue.

How do you punctuate dialogue in fiction?

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 dialogue with a question mark?

With a question mark, the question mark should stay within the quotation marks if it pertains to the quote/dialogue. “Where do I put the symbol?” Sally asked. This is because the question is contained within the quote itself.
 

How do you use inverted commas and full stop in a sentence?

Sentence punctuation and inverted commas



There should be a comma, full stop, question mark, or an exclamation mark at the end of a piece of speech. This is placed inside the closing inverted comma or commas. EXAMPLE: ‘Can I come in? ‘ he asked.
 

Where does the full stop go in dialogue?

In a simple dialogue sentence, the full stop comes before the closing quotation mark. ‘We are going with him. ‘ When a dialogue tag is used after the dialogue, a comma comes before the closing quotation mark.
 

Do you capitalize nicknames in dialogue?

A nickname, epithet, sobriquet, or soubriquet is a descriptive word or phrase used instead of or as part of a person’s name. We capitalize people’s names, so it makes sense that nicknames are also capitalized. However, terms of affection or endearment are not capitalized.
 

What are the 7 rules of dialogue?

Rewriting the 7 Rules of Dialogue

• “Dialogue should stay on topic.”
• “Use dialogue as you would actual speech.”
• “Opt for the speaker attribution said over all others.”
• “Avoid long speeches.”
• “Be grammatically correct.
• “Show what the characters are doing while they’re talking.”
• “Keep characters’ speech consistent.”

What are the 5 dialogue rules?

Basic Dialogue Rules All Writers Should Follow

• Each speaker gets a new paragraph.
• Each paragraph is indented.
• Punctuation for what’s said goes inside the quotation marks.
• Long speeches with several paragraphs don’t have end quotations.
• Use single quotes if the person speaking is quoting someone else.

Does dialogue need a full stop?

If no tag follows the text, end the dialogue with punctuation to end the spoken sentence. This rule applies only to periods. You should not omit other punctuation that adds meaning or clarity to the sentence, such as an exclamation point or question mark. “Let go of your fears,” he replied.

Which punctuation mark do you use before and after a dialogue?

Note the comma after the tag leading into the dialogue above and how the punctuation falls inside the quotes of the dialogue. No matter the type of punctuation (period, exclamation point or question mark), there is always a comma after the tag. “You need to do your homework after you clean your room,” he said.

Do you use a comma after talking marks?

Quotation Marks with Commas, Periods, and Other Punctuation



If the description of the quote’s speaker is placed after the quotation, a comma is always placed within the quotation marks.