Where To Put A Period After A Quote
Quotations are an integral part of any writing. They help to lend credibility and authority to your work by including the words of someone else who has already said it better. But what about the period at the end of the quote? Should it be placed inside or outside the quotation marks? This article will explore the rules governing the placement of periods after quotes and provide you with some tips on how to get it right every time.
The Basic Rule
The basic rule when it comes to placing periods after quotes is that you should always put the period inside the quotation marks. This rule applies whether the quote is a complete sentence or just a phrase. For example:
"I have a dream," said Martin Luther King Jr.
In this example, the period is placed inside the quotation marks because it is part of the quote itself.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are some exceptions to the basic rule, however. In certain cases, the period should be placed outside the quotation marks. The most common of these exceptions is when the quote is followed by a parenthetical citation. For example:
"I have a dream," said Martin Luther King Jr. (1963)
In this example, the period is placed outside the quotation marks because it is not part of the quote itself, but rather part of the citation that follows it.
Other Punctuation Marks
The rules for other punctuation marks, such as commas, colons, and semicolons, can be a bit more complicated. In general, these marks should be placed outside the quotation marks if they are not part of the quote itself. For example:
"I have a dream," said Martin Luther King Jr., "that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"
In this example, the comma after "Jr." is placed outside the quotation marks because it is not part of the quote itself. However, the colon after "creed" is placed inside the quotation marks because it is part of the quote.
Conclusion
Knowing where to place a period after a quote may seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact on the readability and professionalism of your writing. By following these simple rules, you can ensure that your quotes are properly punctuated and easy to read. Remember to always place the period inside the quotation marks, unless there is a good reason to do otherwise.
