Where To Put Period In A Quote
Quoting someone else's words is common in writing. It's a way to incorporate someone else's thoughts, ideas, or words into your own work. However, it's important to use the proper punctuation when quoting. One common question is where to put the period in a quote. This article will guide you on where to put the period in a quote.
What Is A Quote?
Before we dive into where to put the period in a quote, let's define what a quote is. A quote is a direct or indirect reference to someone else's words. It's a way to incorporate someone else's thoughts, ideas, or words into your own work. Quoting is often used in academic writing, journalism, and other forms of writing.
What Are Quotation Marks?
Quotation marks are punctuation marks used to indicate a quote. They are also known as inverted commas or speech marks. Quotation marks can be used to indicate a direct quote, a title of a book or article, or to indicate irony or sarcasm. Quotation marks are always used in pairs, and they come in two forms: single quotes and double quotes.
Where To Put Period In A Quote?
When quoting a sentence, you can put the period inside or outside the quotation marks, depending on the situation. If the quote is a complete sentence, the period should be inside the quotation marks. For example:
"I have a dream 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.'"
If the quote is not a complete sentence, the period should be placed outside the quotation marks. For example:
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."
It's important to note that this rule only applies to periods. Other punctuation marks, like commas, exclamation marks, and question marks, have different rules for placement.
What Are Some Exceptions?
There are some exceptions to the general rule of where to put the period in a quote. One exception is when the quote is a question or exclamation. In this case, the question mark or exclamation point should be placed inside the quotation marks. For example:
"Why did you say 'I don't know'?"
Another exception is when the quote is a title of a book or article. In this case, the period should be placed outside the quotation marks. For example:
I just finished reading "To Kill a Mockingbird".
Conclusion
Knowing where to put the period in a quote is essential for proper punctuation in writing. Remember that if the quote is a complete sentence, the period should be inside the quotation marks. If the quote is not a complete sentence, the period should be placed outside the quotation marks. There are exceptions to this rule, such as when the quote is a question or exclamation or when the quote is a title of a book or article.