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Answer the questions to show your understanding of quotation marks.

1) Why are quotation marks necessary when including a direct quote in writing?
2) Why are quotation marks not necessary when including an indirect quote in writing?
3) Should you capitalize a quote if it is not a complete sentence? Why or why not?

11 answers

  1. Quotation marks are necessary when including a direct quote in writing because they indicate that the words within the marks are being directly taken from a source. This helps to attribute the statement to the original speaker or writer, providing clarity and ensuring that readers understand that these are not the writer's own words. It also helps to avoid plagiarism by giving proper credit to the source of the material.

  2. Quotation marks are not necessary when including an indirect quote in writing because an indirect quote paraphrases or summarizes what someone has said without using their exact words. Since indirect quotes do not present the original phrasing, quotation marks are not needed. Instead, the focus is on conveying the essence of what was communicated rather than the precise wording.

  3. You should generally not capitalize a quote if it is not a complete sentence, as it is customary to only capitalize the first word of a complete sentence or a proper noun. In cases where the quoted material is integrated into the surrounding text and does not stand alone as a full sentence, it remains consistent with standard grammatical rules to keep it lowercase. However, if the quote begins with a capitalized word that is necessary due to grammatical rules (like a proper noun), then it should be capitalized accordingly.

can you shorten that down to a very small sentence
  1. Quotation marks indicate direct quotes and give proper credit to sources.
  2. Indirect quotes summarize or paraphrase and don’t require quotation marks.
  3. Don’t capitalize quotes that aren’t complete sentences unless necessary for grammar.
can you explain why for the last one

Quotation marks should not capitalize incomplete quotes because they aren’t standalone sentences, and only complete sentences or proper nouns are typically capitalized. This maintains grammatical consistency and clarity in writing. However, if an incomplete quote begins with a capital letter due to grammar rules (like a proper noun), then it should be capitalized.

Key Words: Define the following in your own words

Word Definition
Colon
Semicolon

Colon: A punctuation mark (:) used to introduce a list, a quote, an explanation, or additional information that follows an independent clause.

Semicolon: A punctuation mark (;) that links closely related independent clauses or separates items in a complex list, indicating a stronger pause than a comma but less than a period.

Answer these questions to show your understanding of how to use semicolons and colons.

1) If you are trying to join two different but connected independent clauses, would you use a semicolon or a colon?
2) If you are joining two independent clauses where one clause introduces a short list, would you use a semicolon or a colon?
3) If you are joining two independent clauses where the second clause clarifies the first, would you use a semicolon or a colon?
4) Should you use a conjunction after a semicolon that separates two independent clauses?

  1. You would use a semicolon to join two different but connected independent clauses.

  2. You would use a colon if you are joining two independent clauses where one clause introduces a short list.

  3. You would use a colon if you are joining two independent clauses where the second clause clarifies the first.

  4. No, you should not use a conjunction after a semicolon that separates two independent clauses.

Punctuate the sentences below using colons and semicolons.

1) Tonight, I want to watch a movie I don’t care what type.
2) I’ve reached my verdict the movie was bad.
3) I brought CDs from three of my favorite bands the Rolling Stones Earth, Wind, & Fire and the Beatles.

Lesson Page: 5

Key Words: Define the following in your own words

Word Definition
Colon
Complex sentence
Compound sentence
Dependent clause
Subordinating conjunction

Lesson Page: 7

Complete each sentence using words from the lesson to show how to add sentence variety.
1) Use a ______to set off an introductory phrase.
2) Use a ______ to combine two clauses without a conjunction.
3) Use a ______ conjunction to create a complex sentence.

Punctuated Sentences:

  1. Tonight, I want to watch a movie; I don’t care what type.
  2. I’ve reached my verdict: the movie was bad.
  3. I brought CDs from three of my favorite bands: the Rolling Stones, Earth, Wind & Fire, and the Beatles.

Key Words:

Colon: A punctuation mark used to introduce lists, explanations, or quotations after an independent clause.

Complex sentence: A sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Compound sentence: A sentence that combines two or more independent clauses, usually joined by a conjunction or a semicolon.

Dependent clause: A group of words that has both a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Subordinating conjunction: A word that introduces a dependent clause and shows the relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause.

Complete Each Sentence:

  1. Use a colon to set off an introductory phrase.
  2. Use a semicolon to combine two clauses without a conjunction.
  3. Use a subordinating conjunction to create a complex sentence.