Where To Put The Period In A Quote
Quoting is an essential aspect of writing, and it helps to add credibility to your work. However, many people struggle with where to place the period when quoting. It's essential to know where the period goes because it can change the meaning of the sentence. In this article, we will discuss where to put the period in a quote.
What is a Quote?
A quotation or a quote is a group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated by someone other than the original author or speaker. Quoting is a technique used to support an argument or idea in academic writing, research paper, or any other form of writing.
What are Quotation Marks?
Quotation marks are punctuation marks used to show where a quote begins and ends. They are also used to show the titles of short works such as articles, short stories, and poems. Quotation marks come in pairs and are usually placed at the beginning and end of the quoted text.
Where Does the Period Go?
When quoting a sentence, the period goes inside the quotation marks. For example, "I love to read," said Mary. However, there are exceptions to this rule. If the quote is part of a larger sentence, the period goes outside the quotation marks. For instance, Mary said, "I love to read."
What About Question Marks and Exclamation Points?
Question marks and exclamation points are placed inside the quotation marks when they are part of the quoted text. For example, "What is your name?" asked John. However, if the question mark or exclamation point is not part of the quote, it goes outside the quotation marks. For instance, John asked, "What is your name"?
What If There are Multiple Sentences in the Quote?
When quoting multiple sentences, each sentence should begin with a capital letter and end with a period, question mark, or exclamation point. However, only the final punctuation mark goes inside the quotation marks. For example,
"I love to read," said Mary. "I could spend all day with a good book."
Another example is:
"What is your name?" asked John. "Where are you from?"
What If There are Parentheses in the Quote?
If a quote includes parentheses, the period goes outside the parentheses if the entire sentence is in parentheses. For instance,
"I love reading (especially mystery novels)," said Mary.
However, if only part of the sentence is in parentheses, the period goes inside the parentheses. For example,
Mary said, "I love reading (especially mystery novels).
What If There are Ellipses in the Quote?
If a quote includes ellipses, the period goes outside the quotation marks if the ellipsis is part of the quote. For example,
"I love to read...," said Mary.
However, if the ellipsis is not part of the quote, the period goes inside the quotation marks. For instance,
Mary said, "I love to read..."
Conclusion
In conclusion, knowing where to place the period in a quote is essential for effective and accurate quoting. The period goes inside the quotation marks for most cases, but there are exceptions to this rule. It's essential to pay attention to other punctuation marks such as question marks and exclamation points and know where they go in relation to the quotation marks. By following these guidelines, you can quote accurately and effectively in your writing.