Practice Makes Perfect: Exploring Grammar - Muschla Gary Robert 2010

Meteors
Quotation marks
Punctuation and capitalization

Quotation marks are used to set off the words of speakers and to show certain titles.

✵ Use quotation marks to set off the direct words of a speaker. A direct quote begins with a capital letter. It is usually separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Sometimes a quotation ends with a question mark or exclamation point. Commas and end marks are placed inside the quotation marks.

“It is a nice day,” said Lindsay.

Anthony said, “The game starts at eight.”

“When is our book report due?” asked Rebecca.

✵ Sometimes the direct words of a speaker are divided by the speaker’s name. Use commas to separate the speaker from his or her direct words. If the second part of the quotation starts a new sentence, it must begin with a capital letter.

“On Saturday,” said Allie, “we can go shopping.”

“It is supposed to rain Saturday,” she said. “Let’s go shopping.”

✵ Use quotation marks to show the titles of short stories, songs, articles, chapters of books, and poems.

Story: “The Magic Carpet”

Song: “America the Beautiful”

Article: “How to Survive Fifth Grade”

Chapter of book: “Babysitting Tips for Kids”

Poem: “Alligator on the Escalator”

8.12 Meteors

Meteoroids are rocks that enter the earth’s atmosphere from outer space. They usually burn up in the atmosphere. As they burn, they leave a streak of light. This streak of light is called a meteor. Many people mistakenly use another name for a meteor. What is this common name for a meteor?

To answer the question, read each sentence below. Decide if the sentence contains a direct quotation and needs quotation marks. If the sentence needs quotation marks, write the letter for yes in the space above its number at the bottom of the page. If the sentence does not need quotation marks, write the letter for no. You will need to divide the letters into words.

1. I like learning about outer space said Natalie.

I. Yes

E. No

2. Me too said Michelle, her friend.

A. Yes

U. No

3. The girls were studying outer space in their science class.

S. Yes

H. No

4. Mrs. Thompson, their teacher, made the class interesting.

N. Yes

G. No

5. Mrs. Thompson told the students to open their books.

E. Yes

T. No

6. You are to read about meteors she said.

N. Yes

H. No

7. Does anyone know what a meteor is? she asked.

R. Yes

D. No

8. Natalie raised her hand.

E. Yes

O. No

9. Yes, Natalie, said Mrs. Thompson, calling on her.

S. Yes

A. No