Punctuating Dialogue

When writing an imaginative story, well-crafted dialogue can greatly enhance your story. However, if the story is not punctuated correctly, the reader may be confused and distracted.

There are several simple rules to follow:

1. Begin a new line for each new speaker.
eg.
"Stop!" the police officer commanded.
"What do you think I am? Stupid?" called the escapee over his shoulder.
"Not stupid, but much fitter than me," admitted the tired officer.

2. All punctuation related to the dialogue sits inside the inverted commas.
eg.
CORRECT - "These roads are very rough," complained the barefoot runner.
INCORRECT - "These roads are very rough", complained the barefoot runner.

3. If the same sentence is continued after the speaker is identified, a comma precedes the second part of dialogue.
eg. "These roads are very rough," complained the barefoot runner, "although I should have thought about that before now."

4. If a second separate statement is made by the speaker, a full stop precedes the second sentence.
eg. "These roads are very rough," complained the barefoot runner. "I must remember to buy shoes when I arrive at the shops."

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