how to write with speech marks

What are speech marks? Examples and how to use them

In this guide, learn what speech marks are and take a look at some examples!

Author Eliana Sk

Published April 14, 2022

Author Jane Doe

Learn what speech marks are and take a look at some examples!

Author Eliana Doe

• Key takeaways
• Speech marks are special punctuation marks that show the exact words someone has spoken
• Speech marks look like this: “ ”
• Knowing the difference between direct speech and indirect speech can help us know how to use speech marks

Table of contents

What are speech marks?

Where are speech marks used, how to use speech marks.

From novels to news reports, speech marks are used in all sorts of places! In this guide, we take a look at what they are, where they’re used and some handy rules to keep in mind when using them.

Speech marks are special punctuation marks that show the exact words someone has spoken.

They’re also known as quotation marks and inverted commas, and they always appear in pairs at the beginning and end of what was said.

This is what they look like:  “ ”

And here’s an example of some speech marks in action:

“The words that appear between speech marks are the exact words that someone has said,” said the teacher.

You can find speech marks everywhere. They’re common in stories, news articles, poetry and essays. By showing when someone is speaking, speech marks can help make a text more lively and easier to read.

In a story, speech marks may show which of the characters is speaking. For example, in a children’s book you may read:

“We always eat in the garden,” said Markus.

In a news article, speech marks can be used to show a statement made by an expert. For example:

Economists say that “the increase in production will help the job market to grow”.

Unlock unlimited English questions

Put your learning into practice with fun exercises + games that are proven to boost ability!

Get 1 FREE month of Doodle!

Use code SCHOOL_24 to kick-start school with unlimited questions and games

Explore speech marks with DoodleEnglish

DoodleEnglish is an award-winning app that’s filled with thousands of questions and games exploring spelling, grammar and punctuation!

Designed by teachers, it creates each child a unique work programme tailored to their needs, boosting their skills with just 10 minutes of use a day. Try it free!

When do children learn about speech marks?

Children usually start learning about speech marks around the age of 7.

Before they learn about speech marks, they’ll first be taught about other forms of punctuation, including full stops, commas, exclamation marks and question marks.

Being able to tell the difference between direct and indirect speech will help children to effectively use speech marks.

• Direct speech:  shows the exact words that were spoken by a person or character. Speech marks are used at the beginning and end of direct speech to represent what someone has said.
• Indirect speech:  shows what someone said without using their exact words. Speech marks aren’t used in these cases.
• A  reporting clause  will let a reader know who said the direct speech and how they said it.

You should always separate direct speech from the reporting clause by a comma.

This may sound a little complicated, but if we look at an example it will all be clearer.

Anne said, “It’s snowing!”

In this example, ‘Anne said’ is the reporting clause, as it lets us know that it was Anne who spoke. This clause is separated by a comma from Anne’s direct speech, which is represented by the text between the speech marks (“It’s snowing!”).

If you’re writing a conversation between multiple people, reporting clauses can also help to clarify who’s speaking, and when.

Speech mark examples

Let’s take a look at some examples of speech marks in actions. These will help us better understand the different uses of speech marks.

The teacher said that Anthony’s story was “exceptionally written” and that’s why she read it to the whole class.

In this example, a fragmented part of the teacher’s statement is quoted. This is why the statement isn’t capitalised and has no punctuation before or within the quotation marks.

Markus laughed, “Did you see how high I jumped?”

“I know! It was amazing!” Adriana agreed.

In this example, two different people are speaking. The reporting clauses (‘Marcus laughed’ and ‘Adriana agreed’) shows us who is speaking. Each speaker is also placed on a new line to help the reader see that a new person has started speaking.

“It’s amazing,” William exclaimed, “there are bubbles everywhere!”

In this example, the statement made by William is separated by the reporting clause. This is a fun way of adding some character to your writing when using speech marks.

“Polar bears are my favourite real animals,” Mario said. He then told us about the mythical animals he likes more than polar bears.

This is an interesting example because only part of what Mario said is directly written down. The rest is summarised in indirect speech, and this is why there are no speech marks in the second sentence.

How to use speech marks when writing

If you’d like to quote a phrase or statement, using speech marks will show the reader that these aren’t your original words.

Speech marks are also a great way to give emphasis to certain phrases.

If you’re writing stories, they’ll also help to separate when the different characters are talking. Keep in mind that speech is a faster way of moving a story forward, so be careful about how much you use them!

General rules for using speech marks

There are a few helpful rules to keep in mind when using speech marks:

• Sentences made by different characters or people will need to be in separate lines
• If you’re using a person’s full statement, the punctuation of the sentence will need to be within the quotation marks. This includes full stops, exclamation marks, and question marks.
• If a reporting clause is before the speech marks, you’ll need a comma to separate the two. This comma will be before the speech marks.
• If a reporting clause comes in the middle of two quoted sentence parts, you’ll need a comma at the end of the speech marks in the first part and at the beginning of the speech marks in the second part of the sentence

Final thoughts

Using speech marks is relatively easy once you realise they’re only used to express what someone said. When writing an essay or story, speech marks can also help to make your writing more interesting and lively!

To learn even more about speech marks, why not download the  DoodleEnglish app ?

It’s filled with interactive exercises exploring the topic, making it the perfect way to put your learning into practice.

Best of all, it’s designed to be used for just 10 minutes a day — and you can try it for absolutely free!

FAQs about speech marks

Speech marks are punctuation marks that show the words someone has spoken. They’re also known as quotation marks and inverted commas.

If we look at an example: Peter said, “It’s raining!”

‘Peter said’ is a reporting clause, as it lets us know that it was Peter who spoke.

This clause is separated by a comma from Peter’s direct speech, which is represented by the text between the speech marks (“It’s raining!”).

You should use speech marks each time someone speaks.

Speech marks are also called ‘inverted commas’.

You should use inverted commas whenever someone speaks in your writing.

Single speech marks (‘ ‘) can be used to replace double quotation marks (” “) when they’re inside of double quotation marks.

Try DoodleEnglish for free!

Related posts

Complex sentence guide

Find out what complex sentences are and how to use them

Spelling activities for KS2

There are lots of fun ways you can liven up spelling practice!

What is SPaG? A guide

SPaG is a really important concept in English, but what does it mean?

What we offer

Quick links

All rights reserved. 

Book a chat with our team

I’m new to Doodle

My school is already using Doodle

Are you a parent, teacher or student?

Get started for free!

Maths information pack

We ask for your contact info so we can send our info pack directly to your inbox for your convenience, exam prep information pack, case studies information pack, information pack, we ask for your contact info so that our education consultants can get in touch with you and let you know a bit more about doodle., student login, which programme would you like to use.

DoodleMaths

DoodleTables

DoodleEnglish

DoodleSpell

If you’d like to use Doodle’s browser version, please visit this page on a desktop.

To log in to Doodle on this device, you can do so through our apps. You can find out how to download them here:

Search form

• Highest rated
• Verb phrase generator
• Test your grammar

Punctuation in direct speech

We use inverted commas (also called quotation marks, quotes or speech marks) to indicate direct speech. Double quotes (") are preferred in American English, while single quotes (') are more common in British English:

" I'm coming home late tonight, " she said. (American English) ' I'm coming home late tonight, ' she said. (British English)

If we quote within direct speech, we use the other style for the embedded quotation:

"She said, ' I'm coming home late tonight ', " recalled Jim. (American English) 'She said, " I'm coming home late tonight ", ' recalled Jim. (British English)

As can be seen in the examples above, a comma ( , ) is used at the end of the quotation, before the closing speech mark.

A comma is also used before the quotation if we start the sentence with the reporting clause. In this case the terminal full stop (.) comes before the closing speech mark:

She added , "Don't expect me before 11 . "

If the quotation is a question or exclamation, the terminal marks ( ? and ! ) also come before the closing speech marks:

"Hurry up ! " he shouted. She asked, "Am I late ? "

The quotation normally begins with a capital letter, except if it is interrupted by a reporting clause, in which case the first letter of the continuation is not capitalised:

" I 'm coming home late tonight," she said and added, " d on't expect me before 11."

Rate this page

Related topics.

For timeline diagrams, quotes and exercises, check out our e-book The Grammaring Guide to English Grammar

About | Copyright

Grammaring – A guide to English grammar | Copyright © 2009-2024

Grammar: How To Use Speech Marks Correctly

Written by Dan

Last updated September 20, 2023

Understanding how to use speech marks correctly in reading and writing is an essential grammar skill that can help your students effectively communicate their ideas.

However, mastering the correct usage of these punctuation symbols can be a challenge for some children.

By clearly demonstrating the purpose of speech marks and providing plenty of practice opportunities, you can give your students the confidence to utilize them accurately in all sorts of contexts.

In this blog post, we will discuss what speech marks are, when they should be used, and how to teach effective grammar lessons focusing on their use.

So, if you’re looking for fresh ways to engage students with learning about grammar via speech mark practices then keep reading!

Table of Contents

Understanding Speech Marks

What are speech marks.

Speech marks, also known as quotation marks or inverted commas, are punctuation marks used in pairs to indicate direct speech, a quotation, or a phrase.

They play a key role in guiding the reader through the text by indicating who is speaking or highlighting essential phrases.

Have you ever wondered how you know when a character in a book is speaking? That’s right! It’s because of the speech marks.

The Role and Importance of Speech Marks in Writing and Reading

Speech marks serve a critical function in both writing and reading. In writing, they help to distinguish dialogue from narrative, highlight specific phrases or words for emphasis, and indicate direct quotations from sources.

In reading, they provide visual cues that aid comprehension and interpretation.

Imagine reading a novel without speech marks. It would be challenging to differentiate between the characters’ spoken words and the author’s narrative, wouldn’t it?

Speech marks create clarity and structure, making our reading experience more enjoyable and efficient.

Common Misconceptions About Speech Marks

One common misconception is that speech marks are only used to denote dialogue. While this is one of their primary functions, it is not their sole purpose.

They can also be used to indicate irony, introduce unfamiliar terms or phrases, or signify titles of short works.

Another misconception is that single and double speech marks can be used interchangeably. However, their usage varies based on regional style guidelines.

For instance, American English typically uses double speech marks (” “), while British English often prefers single speech marks (‘ ‘).

When to Use Speech Marks

Scenarios for using speech marks.

Speech marks are not just decorative flourishes in our writing; they have specific functions and should be used appropriately. So, when exactly should we use them?

• Direct Speech : This is the most common scenario for using speech marks. Whenever a character or person is speaking directly, their words should be enclosed within speech marks. For instance: “I’m excited about the upcoming vacation,” she said.
• Quotations : When quoting a phrase or sentence directly from a source, we use speech marks to indicate that these are not our own words. For example: As Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
• Titles of Short Works : Speech marks are used to denote the titles of short works like poems , short stories, song titles, and articles. Example: I just read “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost.
• Words Used Unusually or Sarcasm : When a word is used in an unconventional way or to indicate sarcasm or irony, it is often placed within speech marks. Example: He was so “excited” to clean his room.

Examples Demonstrating Correct Use of Speech Marks

Let’s put this into practice with some examples:

• Direct Speech: John said, “I will pick you up at 8 pm.”
• Quotation: The motivational speaker started his speech with, “As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.'”
• Title: Have you read the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”?
• Sarcasm: Yeah, I really “love” getting stuck in traffic.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the best intentions, errors can creep into our use of speech marks. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• Incorrect Placement of Punctuation : In American English, periods and commas go inside the speech marks, regardless of logic. For instance: “I’m going to the park,” she said. Not “I’m going to the park”, she said.
• Single and Double Speech Marks : Remember, the use of single (‘ ‘) and double (” “) speech marks depends on regional style guidelines. Stick to one style consistently throughout your writing.
• Unnecessary Use of Speech Marks : Speech marks should not be used for emphasis. Instead, use italics or bold. Incorrect: The “best” ice cream in town. Correct: The best ice cream in town.

How to Teach Speech Marks Effectively

The importance of clear demonstrations and practice opportunities.

Teaching speech marks is not just about explaining the rules; it’s about illustrating these rules with clear examples and providing ample practice opportunities.

Why, you ask? Because learning is a process of doing. It’s one thing to understand the theory behind speech marks, but applying that knowledge consistently in writing is what truly ingrains the concept.

To demonstrate the use of speech marks, start by showing students examples from their favorite books or articles. Discuss how the speech marks guide them through who’s speaking or what’s being emphasized.

Then, let them practice by writing dialogues or quoting phrases, and encourage peer reviews for constructive feedback.

Strategies and Tips for Teaching Speech Marks Correctly

• Use Visual Aids : Visual aids like posters or flashcards with speech mark rules can be potent tools. Display them prominently in the classroom or share them online for easy reference.
• Encourage Reading : The more students read, the more they’ll see speech marks in action. This exposure will help them understand and remember when and how to use them.
• Create Sentence Starters : Provide sentence starters that require speech marks, such as “She said, ‘…'” or “‘…,’ he thought.” This will give students a framework to begin practicing.
• Give Regular Feedback : Regular and specific feedback is crucial in helping students improve . Praise correct usage and gently correct mistakes, explaining clearly why changes are necessary.

Innovative Methods to Engage Students in Learning About Speech Marks

Learning doesn’t have to be boring, and teaching speech marks is no exception. Here are some innovative methods to make learning about speech marks fun and engaging:

• Speech Marks Games: Create games where students have to spot errors in the use of speech marks or add them correctly in sentences.
• Worksheets : Worksheets with fill-in-the-blank exercises or sentence correction tasks can provide valuable practice. You can find many such resources online or create your own tailored to your students’ needs.
• Online Resources : Websites like Khan Academy or Grammarly offer interactive lessons and quizzes on speech marks. These platforms turn learning into a fun, game-like experience.

Teaching speech marks effectively requires a balance of clear instruction, ample practice opportunities, and engaging activities.

With these strategies, you’re well on your way to making your students’ journey in mastering speech marks an exciting and rewarding one!

Educators, the baton is now in your hands! You have been equipped with a treasure chest of strategies, tips, and resources to teach speech marks effectively.

Remember, as you navigate this journey, your role is to impart knowledge and inspire curiosity and a love for language in your students.

Take these strategies and mould them to fit your unique classroom environment . Adapt them to cater to your students’ diverse learning styles.

Your dedication to teaching these fundamental aspects of grammar will lay the groundwork for their success in reading and writing.

As we wrap up this discussion on speech marks, let’s not view it as an end but as a stepping stone to broader horizons.

The world of grammar teaching practices is vast and ever-evolving, filled with innovative methods and exciting discoveries.

So, continue exploring, continue learning. Dive into professional development courses, join online teaching communities, or exchange ideas with your fellow educators.

Every step you take in this direction enriches your teaching repertoire and empowers your students in their learning journey.

Remember, every great writer was once a learner; perhaps an educator like you sparked that flame.

So, go ahead, ignite the spark. Who knows? You might just be nurturing the next Shakespeare or J.K. Rowling in your classroom!

Keep learning, keep growing, and most importantly, keep inspiring. The world needs more educators like you.

Related Posts

• Grammar Explained: ‘Who, What, When, Where, Why, How’

About The Author

I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.

Join our email list to receive the latest updates.

Add your form here

Speech Marks

Learn how to use speech marks correctly.

Speech marks, also known as quotation marks and inverted commas, are crucial in all styles of writing, from story writing to explanation writing .

We use speech to make a piece of writing as easy to understand as possible. Without proper use, readers may not understand when a character is speaking, or which character is speaking.

In non-fiction writing, a pair of quotation marks/double quotation marks are normally used to add direct quotes or titles to a text. Single quotation marks are used to mark a quote within another quote.

This guide includes lots of examples, tips, and resources to help your child master their use of speech marks. Let’s dive in!

How to use speech marks in dialogue

While learning how to use speech marks in academic writing is important, your child will mainly be using this punctuation mark to add dialogue to their writing. Here are some general rules and different uses for speech marks your child should know:

• Double quotation marks should be used for direct quotes from the character who is speaking.
• They should appear before and after the words being spoken by a character.
• The use of other punctuation marks will still be necessary.
• “That ice cream was delicious!” exclaimed Grudge the Bear.

Notice how in the above example, an exclamation mark is still used at the end of Grudge’s statement to express that he was excited about how delicious his ice cream was! When using a question mark in speech, your child should punctuate the speech marks the same way.

• “Will you go to the movies with me later?” asked Grudge the Bear.

In other instances, when indicating direct speech that would normally have a full stop/period at the end the sentence, we replace it with a comma:

• “I’m going to visit my grandmother later,” explained Grudge the Bear.

Your child can introduce a character before their dialogue by moving the reporting clause to the front of the direct speech, and add a comma after the dialogue tag. In this case, they can then end the speech with a full stop/period, just as they would without speech marks:

• Grudge the Bear explained, “I’m going to visit my grandmother later.”

It’s also important that your child starts a new line whenever they introduce a new speaker.

• Grudge the Bear asked, “Will you go to the movies with me later?”
• “Yes, I’ll get the tickets!” said Florence Flamingo.

Notice how because a new speaker is introduced, your child should do this on a new line. This helps the story look more organized and makes it easier for the readers to know who is speaking and when!

Direct Speech and Indirect Speech

Direct speech is the part of the sentence that’s surrounded by quotation marks. Indirect speech, on the other hand, is not surrounded by speech marks and is just written within the text like any other sentence.

• Direct speech: “Why don’t you want to watch a movie with me?” asked Grudge the Bear.
• Indirect speech: Grudge the Bear asked me why I didn’t want to watch a movie with him.

In the above examples, the same speech is being expressed, but in different ways. In the direct speech example, the question is coming directly from Grudge. However, in the indirect speech example, the author is explaining to the reader the question that Grudge asked. These two ways of expressing the same speech have different implications behind them, which is why an author may choose one type of speech over the other at certain times in their stories.

Other uses for speech marks

• They can sometimes be used to replace italics - this is usually done with shorter direct quotes from books, articles, or films
• To add direct quotations (exact words) to a non-fiction text, like a report or explanation writing piece.
• They let the reader know that the quote in the piece of nonfiction writing is not original, and is being cited from an external source. The quoted material should be followed by parentheses including the original source’s author.

In British English, single quotation marks are used more often, whereas in American English they’re only used to add a quote within a quote.

Activity & resource

Now that your child has learned everything they need to know about speech marks, here's a free resource to help them practice their new skills:

How Night Zookeeper can help

Night Zookeeper makes reading & writing fantastically fun for children.

Our award-winning reading & writing program covers all the essential language skills, from spelling , to grammar , punctuation and reading comprehension .

Sign up today to get a FREE 7-day trial!

More resources

• Capital Letters
• Apostrophes
• Punctuation (overview)

Related content

• Elementary Writing Curriculum
• Elementary Language Arts
• Language Arts Resources
• Elementary Writing Prompts
• Elementary Writing Activities

Make Reading & Writing Fantastically Fun!

• Award-winning reading & writing program for kids
• Improves spelling, grammar, punctuation & vocabulary
• Over 1,000 different learning games and activities

The Editor’s Manual

Free learning resource on English grammar, punctuation, usage, and style.

• Punctuation |

Quotation marks

How to punctuate dialogue in fiction.

Structure and punctuate the dialogue in your novel or story to make readers believe they are listening to a real conversation and watching your characters interact with one another. You want to make it clear who is saying what, but achieve this as unobtrusively as possible.

Enclose direct speech (also called quoted speech, in which you repeat a character’s exact words) in quotation marks.

• “The cake tastes like bread,” Maya said.
• Lulu said, “The water tastes like paper.”
• “And the apples smell like tangerines,” said Farley.
• “Run!” she shouted.
• He asked, “Why?”

In American and Canadian writing, double quotation marks enclose quoted speech. Single quotes are generally used instead as speech marks in British, Australian, and other writing.

Use a comma to separate quoted speech from the speaker.

• “This vacation is boring , ” said Lulu.
• “I knew that , ” Maya said.
• She yelled , “Dragon!”
• Farley said , “I can’t find my shoes.”

Such clauses (“Maya said,” “she yelled”) identify the speaker and are called speech tags. Use commas both before and after a speech tag if it interrupts a speaker’s sentence.

• “The cake , ” she said , “tastes like bread.”
• “Why , ” she wondered , “do we need money?”

But use a period after a speech tag if a new sentence of quoted speech begins after it.

• “The cake tastes like bread,” said Maya . “ T he tea smells of coffee.”
• “I don’t know,” she said . “ Y ou can ask him yourself.”
• “We sell all kinds of packages,” Poco said . “ L et me show you our catalog.”

Capitalization

Capitalize the first word of a sentence of direct or quoted speech.

• Maya said, “ T he hens are loose again.”
• Lulu asked, “ D o you know where they are?”
• Farley cried, “ N ot again!”
• “ W e haven’t booked our tickets yet,” said Maya.

Capitalize the first word after a speech tag if it starts a new sentence.

• “We’ll call him again tonight,” Maya said. “ M aybe this time he’ll answer.” A new sentence begins after the speech tag.
• “Is he here?” she asked. “ W e need to speak with him.”

If a sentence of quoted speech that began before a speech tag continues after it (i.e., the speech tag appears mid-sentence), don’t capitalize the word that follows.

• “I think,” Maya said, “ w e should call him again tonight.” The same sentence continues after the speech tag.
• “Do you know,” she asked, “ i f he is here yet?”

Question marks and exclamation points

If a line of quoted speech ends in a question mark or an exclamation point, omit the comma that generally appears before the speech tag.

• Incorrect: “Who are you? , ” she asked. Correct: “Who are you?” she asked.
• Incorrect: “It’s here! , ” she cried. Correct: “It’s here!” she cried.

However, if the question or exclamation follows the speech tag, use a comma as usual.

• She asked , “Who are you?”
• She cried , “It’s here!”

Dashes and ellipses

Mark interrupted speech using an em dash .

• “You really should—” “Don’t you tell me what to do, Farley Dash!”

An ellipsis (three consecutive periods) can also mark an interruption. More often, it signifies indecision, an incomplete thought, or a pause. In dialogue, an ellipsis can show faltering speech or a thought trailing off.

• Maya asked, “Would you like another slice of chocolate cake?” “Oh, I really shouldn’t, but . . .”
• “I heard . . . what was that? Did you hear that?”

Speech tags: Who said what

Use a speech tag (also called a dialogue tag) to identify the character who is speaking. Here is a dialogue from The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett.

• The tree , in a voice like a very old door swinging open, said , “Serves you right.” There was a long silence. Then Rincewind said , “Did you say that?” “Yes.” “And that too?” “Yes.”

See how the conversation continues without a speech tag attached to every line of dialogue? Once the two speakers have been identified, the reader understands that they take turns speaking. Another speech tag is needed only when a new speaker is introduced or clarification is needed, as in the following conversation from Little Women .

• “Jo does use such slang words!” observed Amy , with a reproving look at the long figure stretched on the rug. Jo immediately sat up, put her hands in her pockets, and began to whistle. “Don’t, Jo. It’s so boyish!” “That’s why I do it.” “I detest rude, unladylike girls!” “I hate affected, niminy-piminy chits!” “Birds in their little nests agree,” sang Beth , the peacemaker, with such a funny face that both sharp voices softened to a laugh, and the “pecking” ended for that time. “Really, girls, you are both to be blamed,” said Meg , beginning to lecture in her elder-sisterly fashion.

Omitting unnecessary speech tags helps the reader follow along with minimal disruption. You can also omit speech tags the first time a person speaks if it is clear who is speaking, as in the following excerpt from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer , where both boys have already been introduced to us.

• Neither boy spoke. If one moved, the other moved—but only sidewise, in a circle; they kept face to face and eye to eye all the time. Finally Tom said : “I can lick you!” “I’d like to see you try it.” “Well, I can do it.” “No you can’t, either.” “Yes I can.” “No you can’t.” “I can.” “You can’t.” “Can!” “Can’t!”

Of course in a conversation with more than two characters involved, you may have to use speech tags more often, as in the following extract from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

• We stared at him until he spoke: “Hey.” “Hey yourself,” said Jem pleasantly. “I’m Charles Baker Harris,” he said . “I can read.” “So what?” I said . “I just thought you’d like to know I can read. You got anything needs readin’ I can do it. . .” “How old are you,” asked Jem , “four-and-a-half?” “Goin’ on seven.”

Use clear and simple speech tags. Don’t try to mix things up by unnecessarily finding synonyms for the verb say . Use alternatives to the word said (such as observed , whispered , cried , shouted , yelled , noted , remarked ) only if necessary to convey meaning to the reader.

Action tags

Action tags describe an action different from speaking and merit a sentence of their own. They are therefore separated from speech using a period, unlike speech tags, which take commas.

• “Farley says he ate a whole bar of chocolate this morning,” said Poco, looking up from his phone. Rita leaned forward . “Did he say chocolate ?” “Hmm? Yes. Why?” “Farley hates chocolate. It’s code . ” She got up and peered out the window . “Someone’s watching us.” “Nobody’s watching us, Rita . ” Poco scratched irritably at his chin . “You and Farley are always worrying about nothing.” “Oh yeah?” Rita pointed to the building opposite . “Then who is that?”

Here is an extract from The House of Mirth in which Edith Wharton effectively uses action tags to make us feel we are in the room, watching what’s going on. Note how she uses commas with speech tags but periods with action tags.

• “How delicious to have a place like this all to one’s self! What a miserable thing it is to be a woman . ” She leaned back in a luxury of discontent . Selden was rummaging in a cupboard for the cake. “Even women , ” he said , “have been known to enjoy the privileges of a flat.” “Oh, governesses—or widows. But not girls—not poor, miserable, marriageable girls!” “I even know a girl who lives in a flat.” She sat up in surprise . “You do?” “I do , ” he assured her, emerging from the cupboard with the sought-for cake.

If the action is described in an adverbial phrase appended to a speech tag, use commas as usual, as in the final line of the example above. But don’t use verbs that don’t describe speech as speech tags. Smiling , yawning , winking , and laughing , for example, are acts different from speaking.

• Incorrect: I don’t know what you mean,” she yawned . Correct: “I don’t know what you mean,” she said with a yawn.
• Incorrect: “Here it is,” he smiled . Correct: “Here it is,” he said , smiling.

Of course you can use such verbs in action tags, but use a period then rather than a comma to separate the tag from the speech.

• Incorrect: She yawned , “I don’t know what you mean.” Correct: She yawned . “I don’t know what you mean.”
• Incorrect: He smiled , “Here it is.” Correct: He smiled . “Here it is.”

New line for each speaker

To make it easy for the reader to follow a conversation, use a new line (paragraph change) each time the speaker changes. End each line of dialogue with a period. The paragraph change indicates to the reader a change in speaker, as in the following extract from The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler.

• “Sarah, it’s bad for you to talk like that.” “Oh? How am I supposed to talk?” “I mean if you let yourself get angry you’ll be . . . consumed. You’ll burn up. It’s not productive.” “Oh, productive! Well, goodness, no, let’s not waste time on anything unproductive.”

Multiple paragraphs, single speaker

In the rare case that speech by a single speaker runs into multiple paragraphs (a running quotation), place an opening quotation mark at the start of each paragraph but a closing quotation mark only at the end of the final paragraph. All previous paragraphs remain unclosed. This tells the reader that the speaker has not changed at paragraph change.

• As Dash writes: “ Paragraph 1. “ Paragraph 2. “ Paragraph 3. ”

You will probably need to do this only when quoting a long speech, essay, or monologue. In normal dialogue, characters don’t speak entire paragraphs’ worth of words in one go.

Thoughts and internal dialogue

A character’s thoughts are often enclosed in quotation marks.

• “Why not?” he thought. “I can always change my mind later.”
• “She seems kind,” mused Maya. “I’m glad he met her.”

Quotation marks may be omitted with interior monologue. This can make it seem as though you are in a person’s head, listening in on their thoughts.

• It is, thought Peter Walsh, beginning to keep step with them, a very fine training. ( Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf)
• Mrs. Rachel felt that she had received a severe mental jolt. She thought in exclamation points. A boy! Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert of all people adopting a boy! From an orphan asylum! Well, the world was certainly turning upside down! ( Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery)

When quotation marks are omitted and a thought appears mid-sentence, the first word is often capitalized to set off the thought from the rest of the sentence.

• Then suddenly I thought: Why, what would life be without my puppy! ( A Dog’s Tale by Mark Twain)
• So I thought, Why waste five hours trying to versify the incident? ( Something Else Again by Franklin P. Adams)

But it is not essential to capitalize the first word of a thought if it is clearly being directly quoted, as in the following sentence from Iris Murdoch’s The Sea, The Sea .

• I suddenly thought, if he is no longer in the army, why does he have to come and see me at a holiday weekend when the roads are full of traffic?

A writer may also use formatting options, such as italics, as Terry Pratchett does in Going Postal , where the main character, Moist (yes, that’s his name), is in conversation with another character. Moist’s spoken words are enclosed in quotes and his thoughts shown in italics.

• Hold on a minute , Moist thought, this is only one city. It’s got gates. It’s completely surrounded by different directions to run. Does it matter what I sign?

Indirect or reported speech

Don’t use quotation marks if you are reporting a conversation or dialogue instead of quoting the speaker’s exact words.

• Direct (quoted) speech Poco started washing the apples. “Why didn’t you call me last night?” “I had a migraine,” Lulu said. but Indirect (reported) speech As he started washing the apples, Poco asked Lulu why she hadn’t called him the night before. She said it was because she’d had a migraine.

Dashes instead of quotes to mark dialogue

Dashes may be used instead of quotation marks to punctuate dialogue, as in this excerpt from A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle.

• — Will we go for a stroll, so? he said. — Yes, she said. — Right. He wiped the blade of the shovel on his sleeve. — Let’s get this gleaming for the lady. He let the spade hop gently on the path. Melody heard music. — Now we’re right, said Henry Smart. He held out his arm, offered it to Melody. — Hang on, said Melody.

Dashes can make dialogue seem more immediate, as though you’re watching two people talking. However, dashes are less common than quotation marks, which are more popular as speech marks for a reason: they indicate clearly where quoted speech begins and ends.

Omitting speech marks from dialogue

Some writers prefer to omit punctuation altogether, using neither quotation marks nor dashes. Cynan Jones’s The Dig omits speech marks to create an effect that is more immediate, more direct, more urgent.

• We’ve had a report of fly-tipping. He waited. I just wanted to ask whether you would know anything about that. What did they tip? asked the man. The policeman didn’t respond. He was looking at the junk and the big man saw and said, Does it look like I throw things away? Just wondered if you could help, sir, said the policeman.

Before opting for this minimalist style, ask yourself if your short story or novel requires it. Speech marks clearly outline quoted speech in a passage. By omitting them, you are making the reader pay extra attention to understand which words are quoted speech and which are narration. If you do use this method, review your writing carefully to make sure you don’t confuse (and irritate or tire out) the reader.

Share this article

Use a comma instead of a period at the end of a quote to separate it from the speaker.

Don’t use a comma after an exclamation point, even at the end of quoted text.

Don’t use a comma after a question mark.

Use a comma after a speech tag before the start of quoted speech.

Internal discourse can be punctuated with or without speech marks. A thought can begin either with a capital or a lowercase letter.

Both quotation marks and dashes can mark dialogue in fiction. Quotation marks are more common.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Language rules
• When to Use Quotation Marks (“”) | Rules & Examples

When to Use Quotation Marks ("") | Rules & Examples

Published on May 21, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 29, 2022 by Jack Caulfield.

Quotation marks (also known as quotes or inverted commas) are used to indicate direct speech and quotations.

In academic writing, you need to use quotation marks when you quote a source . This includes quotes from published works and primary data such as interviews . The exception is when you use a block quote, which should be set off and indented without quotation marks.

Whenever you quote someone else’s words, use a signal phrase to introduce it and integrate the source into your own text. Don’t rely on quotations to make your point for you.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Single vs. double quotation marks, quotes within quotes, punctuation following quotations, quotation marks for source titles, indirect quotation, scare quotes, frequently asked questions about quotation marks.

There are two types of quotation marks: ‘single’ and “double.” Which one to choose generally depends on whether you are using US or UK English . The US convention is to use double quotation marks, while the UK convention is usually to use single quotation marks.

Double quotation marks can also be acceptable in UK English, provided you are consistent throughout the text. APA Style requires double quotations.

Check for common mistakes

Use the best grammar checker available to check for common mistakes in your text.

Fix mistakes for free

When your quotations are nested (i.e., a quote appears inside another quote), you should use the opposite style of quotation marks for the nested quotation.

US and UK English also differ on where to place punctuation within quotation marks.

• In US English,  commas and periods that follow a quote are placed within the quotation marks.
• In UK English, all punctuation marks are placed outside the quotation marks, except when they are part of the original quotation.

In all variants of English, a question mark appears inside the quotation marks when the person quoted was asking a question, but outside when it’s you asking the question.

• Smith asks, “How long can this situation continue?”
• How many participants reported their satisfaction as “high”?

Note that when you include a parenthetical citation after a quote, the punctuation mark always comes after the citation (except with block quotes ).

• Solis described the situation as “precarious” (2022, p. 16).

Some source titles (e.g., the title of a journal article) should be presented in quotation marks in your text. Others are italicized instead (or occasionally written in plain text).

The rules for how to format different source titles are largely the same across citation styles, though some details differ. The key principles apply in all the main styles:

• Use italics for sources that stand alone
• Use quotation marks for sources that are part of another source

Some examples are shown below, with the proper formatting:

• The Routledge Companion to Critical Theory [book]
• “Poststructuralism” [book chapter]
• Philosophy, Psychiatry & Psychology [journal]
• “What Is Personality Disorder?” [journal article]
• Friends [TV series]
• “The One Where Rachel Quits” [TV episode]

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

Indirect quotation means reporting what someone said without using exactly the same words they did.

It’s a lot like paraphrasing , except that you’re only changing the words you need to in order to fit the statement into your new sentence grammatically. For example, changing the pronouns or the verb tense .

Indirect quotation is more common in everyday speech, but it can occur in academic writing too. When it does, keep in mind that you should only use quotation marks around words taken directly from the original speaker or author.

• One participant stated that “he found the exercises frustrating.”
• One participant stated that he found the exercises frustrating.
• One participant described the exercises as “frustrating.”

“Scare quotes” are quotation marks used around words that are not a direct quotation from a specific source. They are used to signal that a term is being used in an unusual or ironic way, that it is borrowed from someone else, or that the writer is skeptical about the term.

• Many politicians have blamed recent electoral trends on the rise of “fake news.”

While scare quotes have their uses in academic writing (e.g., when referring to controversial terms), they should only be used with good reason. Inappropriate use of scare quotes creates ambiguity.

• The institution organized a fundraiser in support of “underprivileged children.”
• Scientists argue that “global warming” is accelerating due to greenhouse gas emissions.
• The “Brexit” negotiations are still ongoing.

In these examples, the words within scare quotes are widely accepted terms with clear meanings that can’t be attributed to a specific person or source. Using quotation marks implies skepticism about the concepts in question.

The use of single and double quotation marks when quoting differs between US and UK English . In US English, you must use double quotation marks. Single quotation marks are used for quotes within quotes.

In UK English, it’s most common to use single quotation marks, with double quotation marks for quotes within quotes, although the other way around is acceptable too.

A quote is an exact copy of someone else’s words, usually enclosed in quotation marks and credited to the original author or speaker.

If you’re quoting from a text that paraphrases or summarizes other sources and cites them in parentheses , APA and Chicago both recommend retaining the citations as part of the quote. However, MLA recommends omitting citations within a quote:

• APA: Smith states that “the literature on this topic (Jones, 2015; Sill, 2019; Paulson, 2020) shows no clear consensus” (Smith, 2019, p. 4).
• MLA: Smith states that “the literature on this topic shows no clear consensus” (Smith, 2019, p. 4).

Footnote or endnote numbers that appear within quoted text should be omitted in all styles.

If you want to cite an indirect source (one you’ve only seen quoted in another source), either locate the original source or use the phrase “as cited in” in your citation.

Quotes within quotes are punctuated differently to distinguish them from the surrounding quote .

• If you use double quotation marks for quotes, use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.
• If you use single quotation marks for quotes (e.g., in UK English ), use double quotation marks for quotes within quotes.

Make sure to close both sets of quotes!

Indirect quotation means reporting what someone said (or wrote) but not using their exact words. It’s similar to paraphrasing , but it only involves changing enough words to fit the statement into your sentence grammatically (e.g., changing the tense or the pronouns ).

Since some of the words have changed, indirect quotations are not enclosed in quotation marks .

Sources in this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

McCombes, S. (2022, November 29). When to Use Quotation Marks ("") | Rules & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved August 19, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/language-rules/quotation-marks/

Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015).  Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage  (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Garner, B. A. (2016).  Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to quote | citing quotes in apa, mla & chicago, how to block quote | length, format and examples, get unlimited documents corrected.

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

Stack Exchange Network

Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow , the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.

Q&A for work

Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search.

How to handle speech within speech?

If I'm writing a sentence such as:

"I was talking to Alison the other day she said 'I like your shirt!'" Lisa commented.

Here Lisa is quoting Alison, how should Alison's speech be punctuated? I've used a single quote - is this correct?

• punctuation

• I tend to use single quotes for all my dialogue: 'I was talking to Alison.' So then when I want to have a character quote someone the quote is wrapped in quote marks: 'I was talking to Alison the other day and she said, "I like your shirt".' This is one of those classic situations where it can go either way, I read as many authors who write my way as who write the other. Of course, as lea points out, this would read more naturally as 'I was talking to Alison the other day and she said she liked my shirt.' –  CLockeWork Commented Jun 26, 2014 at 8:43
• 1 @CLockeWork Using single quotes for dialogue or double seems to be a function of where you live. The U.S. uses double quotes (so single on the inside) and Brits do the opposite. They're both right as long as you're consistent. –  Lauren-Clear-Monica-Ipsum Commented Jun 26, 2014 at 9:56
• 2 @LaurenIpsum, I hadn't realised that but thinking about it makes sense; I just finished reading a book by Brandon Sanderson (American, double quotes on the outside) and now I'm onto a Charles Stross (British, single quotes on the outside.) I learn something new every day :D –  CLockeWork Commented Jun 26, 2014 at 10:17
• @CLockeWork I'd never even noticed that - I'm British and always use double quotes! –  Liath Commented Jun 26, 2014 at 10:17
• 1 Good call @Liath, I tend to get most of my Fantasy from Americans, and my Sci-Fi from Brits. Not sure why. –  CLockeWork Commented Jun 26, 2014 at 10:28

2 Answers 2

As long as you use two different sets of quotation marks readers should easily be able to follow the conversation. However, I think it would be more correct and more readable if you added a comma before the inner quotation.

Of course, you could always avoid the dilemma by having Lisa describe Alison's words to her rather than recite them verbatim, "she told me" rather than "she said". This may also be more naturalistic, but that depends on Lisa's manner of speech.

If you're using American English, your sentence is like:

That means add single quotes inside the double quotes.

Another example:

"So I was walking with Chris," said Nick, "and he said 'Madison's having a party.'"

If you're using British English, your sentence is like:

'I was talking to Alison the other day she said "I like your shirt!"' Lisa commented.

That means add double quotes inside the single quotes.

Your Answer

Reminder: Answers generated by artificial intelligence tools are not allowed on Writing Stack Exchange. Learn more

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest.

Required, but never shown

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy .

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged dialogue punctuation or ask your own question .

• Featured on Meta
• Bringing clarity to status tag usage on meta sites
• We've made changes to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy - July 2024
• Announcing a change to the data-dump process

Hot Network Questions

• Arranging people in a jeep.
• Pressure of water in a pipe submerged in a draining tank
• Did anyone ever ask Neil Armstrong whether he said "for man" or "for a man?"
• What does it mean to formalise a philosophy or philosophical claim?
• Creating a deadly "minimum altitude limit" in an airship setting
• Optimal Algorithm to Append and Access Tree Data
• For applying to a STEM research position at a U.S. research university, should a resume include a photo?
• How old were Phineas and Ferb? What year was it?
• Using 尊敬語 and 謙譲語 without 丁寧語?
• Sci-fi book with a part-human, part-machine protagonist who lives for centuries to witness robots gain sentience and wage war on humans
• Produce -5 V with 250 mA max current limitation
• Why does the size of a struct change depending on whether an initial value is used?
• Jacobi-Trudi-like identity with dual characters
• How common is it for external contractors to manage internal teams, and how can we navigate this situation?
• Kyoto is a famous tourist destination/area/site/spot in Japan
• Tipped Wages: What is a Tip
• Which better conducts vibration: wood or metal?
• Where exactly was this picture of a huge solar eruption taken?
• Large Sapient Octopus: How could they survive in warm waters?
• 10th-order Runge-Kutta Method
• Font showing in Pages but not in Font book (or other apps)
• Use all eight of the given polygons to tile a parallelogram
• Why does problem F belong to PSPACE?
• How did this zucchini plant cling to the zip tie?

Join our mailing list and receive your free eBook. You'll also receive great tips on story editing, our best blogs, and learn how to use Fictionary software to make your story unforgettable.

• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Blogs / Character / What Is Third Person Point of View in Literature?

Write Your Dream Book

What is third person point of view in literature.

Understanding the various points of view (POVs) in literature is crucial for any writer. One of the most commonly used is the third person point of view, and I might be biased, but it’s one of my favourites to read.

This POV can offer a wide range of storytelling possibilities, giving writers the flexibility to explore different characters and settings in depth.

In this article, we’ll dive into what the third person point of view is, the different types of third person POV, and how to use them in your writing.

Excited? You should be.

Writing from a third person perspective allows the author to step back from the narrative, offering a broader scope of the story’s events and characters. This can be useful in complex stories with multiple characters and subplots. The third person POV can help create an objective tone, presenting the story without the bias that comes from a first person narrator.

In third person point of view, the narrator is not a character within the story, but an external observer.

The narrator can describe scenes, actions, and characters from an outside perspective, which can be useful for revealing information that the characters themselves might not know.

How handy is that?

What Is Third Person Point of View?

Third person point of view is a narrative perspective where the narrator tells the story using third-person pronouns such as “he,” “she,” “they,” and character names.

Unlike the first person POV, where the narrator is a character within the story, the third person narrator stands outside the events being described. This detachment allows the narrator to present a broader perspective of the story world.

In third person POV, the narrator can offer a wide lens on the story’s events, providing insights and details that may not be available to a first-person narrator.

This can help create a richer, more layered story, as the reader can see different aspects of the narrative from multiple angles. This perspective can also help build suspense, as the narrator can provide hints and foreshadowing the characters themselves might not be aware of.

And who doesn’t love a bit of foreshadowing?

Third person narration can be useful in genres such as fantasy and science fiction, where the author needs to build a complex world with its own rules and logic.

By stepping outside the characters, the narrator can provide exposition without breaking the flow of the story. Third person POV can help create a sense of objectivity, making the narrative feel more reliable and trustworthy to the reader.

Types of Third Person

When writing in third person, authors can choose from three distinct types:

Each type offers unique advantages and challenges.

Third Person Objective Point of View

In third person objective, the narrator reports only what they can see and hear, without access to the thoughts or feelings of the characters. This POV is like a camera recording events without commentary or interpretation. It leaves much for the reader to infer, creating an air of mystery and allowing for greater reader engagement.

This type of POV can be effective in creating suspense and tension.

By presenting only the external actions and dialogue, the narrator forces the reader to piece together the underlying emotions and motivations of the characters. This can create a more engaging and interactive reading experience, as the reader must actively interpret the clues provided by the narrator.

However, third person objective can also be challenging to write.

It requires the author to convey character emotions and motivations solely through actions and dialogue. This can be difficult in scenes where the characters are experiencing complex or subtle emotions.

To effectively use this POV, authors need to be skilled in creating vivid, detailed descriptions that convey the information without specifying it.

Third Person Limited Point of View

Third person limited focuses on the experiences and thoughts of a single character.

The narrator can delve into this character’s inner world, providing insight into their motivations and emotions. However, you limit the narrative to what this character knows and perceives, which can help maintain suspense and build a strong connection between the reader and the character.

This type of POV allows for a deep exploration of a character’s inner life, creating a more intimate and personal narrative.

The reader can see the world through the character’s eyes, experiencing their thoughts, feelings, and perceptions firsthand. This can help build empathy and understanding for the character, making their journey more interesting and relatable.

However, third person limited also has its limitations.

Since you confine the narrative to a single character’s perspective, the reader only knows what this character knows.

This can create challenges in conveying information that the character is not aware of. The author must be careful to maintain the character’s voice and perspective consistently throughout the narrative

Third Person Omniscient Point of View

The third person omniscient narrator has an all-knowing perspective, with access to the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of all characters.

This type of POV allows the narrator to provide a comprehensive view of the story, jumping between different characters and settings. It can offer rich, layered storytelling but requires careful management to avoid overwhelming the reader with too much information.

This type of POV provides the greatest flexibility for the author, allowing them to explore multiple characters and subplots in depth.

The narrator can provide insights into the motivations and emotions of different characters, creating a more complex and nuanced narrative. The omniscient narrator can also provide exposition and background information, helping to build a rich and detailed story world.

However, third person omniscient also comes with its own challenges.

The author must be careful to manage the flow of information, ensuring that too many perspectives and details don’t overwhelm the reader. The omniscient narrator can sometimes create a sense of detachment, making it harder for the reader to connect with the characters on a personal level.

To effectively use this POV, authors need to balance the different perspectives and maintain a clear, cohesive narrative voice.

Examples of Different Types of Third Person

To better understand these POV types, let’s look at some examples from literature.

Third Person Objective Examples

In Ernest Hemingway’s Hills Like White Elephants , the third person objective POV is used to great effect. The narration is sparse, focusing solely on dialogue and actions, leaving readers to infer the underlying tensions and emotions:

“’What should we drink?’ the girl asked. She had taken off her hat and put it on the table.

‘It’s pretty hot,’ the man said.

‘Let’s drink beer.’

‘Dos cervezas,’ the man said into the curtain.

‘Big ones?’ a woman asked from the doorway.

‘Yes. Two big ones.’”

This style keeps readers at a distance, encouraging them to read between the lines.

Third Person Limited Examples

J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series predominantly uses third person limited, focusing on Harry’s perspective. This allows readers to experience the magical world through Harry’s eyes, deepening their connection with him:

“Mr and Mrs Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you’d expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn’t hold with such nonsense.”

Here, the narrative is confined to Harry’s experiences and feelings, providing a personal and immersive view.

Third Person Omniscient Examples

Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace is a classic example of third person omniscient.

The narrator provides insights into the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters, offering a panoramic view of the story:

“These words were spoken (in French) one evening in July 1805 by the well-known Anna Pavlovna Scherer, maid of honour and confidante of the Empress Maria Fyodorovna, as she welcomed the first person to arrive at her soirée, Prince Vasily Kuragin, a man of high rank and influence.”

This all-knowing perspective allows Tolstoy to explore the intricate dynamics of a large cast of characters.

Tips For Using Third Person Point of View

Using third person POV effectively requires careful consideration of your story’s needs and the experience you want to create for your readers. Here are some tips:

• Choose the Right Type: Consider whether the detachment of third person objective, the intimacy of third person limited, or the breadth of third person omniscient best serves your story.
• Maintain Consistency: Avoid shifting between different third person POVs within the same narrative unless you have a clear and purposeful reason.
• Develop Characters Clearly: Even in third person, ensure your characters are well-developed and their actions and motivations are clear to the reader.
• Balance Information: In third person omniscient, be mindful not to overwhelm the reader with too much information at once. Provide insights gradually to maintain interest and clarity.
• Engage the Reader: Use descriptive language and vivid imagery to draw readers into the world you’re creating.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Even in third person, aim to show character emotions and motivations through actions and dialogue rather than simply telling the reader.
• Use Dialogue Effectively: Dialogue can be a powerful tool in third person narratives. Use it to reveal character traits, advance the plot, and provide exposition.
• Control the Pacing: Use the flexibility of third person POV to control the pacing of your story. Slow down to provide detailed descriptions and speed up during action scenes.
• Create Foreshadowing: The broader perspective of third person POV allows you to plant hints and foreshadow future events, building suspense and intrigue.
• Maintain a Clear Narrative Voice: Ensure that the narrative voice is consistent and clear, whether you’re using a detached, objective tone or a more intimate limited perspective.
• Use Descriptive Language: Paint vivid pictures with your words to help readers visualize the settings and characters. This can make your story more immersive.
• Vary Sentence Structure: Keep your writing dynamic by varying the length and structure of your sentences. This can help maintain reader interest and convey different moods.
• Develop Subplots: Third person POV can be effective for developing subplots. Use the flexibility of this perspective to explore different storylines and how they intersect.
• Explore Multiple Characters: In omniscient POV, take advantage of the ability to delve into multiple characters’ thoughts and experiences to create a richer narrative.
• Use Symbolism and Imagery: Enhance your storytelling with symbolism and imagery, which can add depth and layers of meaning to your narrative.

And finally, always remember that story comes first. Focus on:

• Creating engaging characters
• Penning interesting plots
• Structuring solid settings

A tool like Fictionary helps you turn your draft into an interesting story readers love. So, with a strong narrative foundation, your writing can truly shine.

Democrats unveil theme and featured speakers for 2024 Democratic National Convention

Among the several speakers expected to take the stage, the convention will feature familiar faces such as president joe biden and former president barack obama, by gerardo pons, nbc chicago staff and wire reports • published august 18, 2024 • updated on august 18, 2024 at 4:04 am.

Every four years, the Democratic Party hosts a multi-day convention for thousands of supporters to come together and nominate their candidate for their presidency in an emotive process and this year is no exception.

This year, the convention will be set in Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris will accept the Democratic presidential nomination after securing the majority of the delegates earlier this month.

📺 24/7 Chicago news stream: Watch NBC 5 free wherever you are

The convention theme will be "For the People, For Our Future," a message inspired by Harris' previous campaign motto as district attorney – "Kamala Harris, For the People."

While the convention itself is expected to draw between 5,000 and 7,000 delegates and alternate delegates, city officials expect the event will draw an estimated 50,000 visitors to the city throughout the week.

“A credential to get into the Chicago Democratic National Convention is a hotter ticket than a Taylor Swift concert,” Chris Korge, national finance chair for the Democratic National Committee, told NBC News . “We have to tell people there’s a limit to how many people we can get into the convention.”

When and Where Is the 2024 Democratic National Convention?

The convention will be held over four days starting Monday, Aug. 19, and ending Thursday, Aug. 22 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. It will host events from 7-11 p.m. ET.

Decision 2024

‘Lock him up!': Hillary Clinton smiles and nods amid chants echoing Trump supporters

Biden gets a rousing ovation as he gives Harris an enthusiastic endorsement on Day 1 of DNC

The full schedule of events, however, can be found  here .

A look at the DNC stage, screens inside United Center

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter .

Who will be speaking at the convention?

Among the several speakers expected to take the stage , the convention will feature familiar faces such as President Joe Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden are expected to take the stage on the first night of the convention. Other speakers include Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Biden’s aides said Biden will use his remarks to deliver the argument for why he believes Harris must replace him and defeat Trump, whom he says is a threat to democracy. Biden will also play up some of his popular  accomplishments  before he steps out of the spotlight for Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, to take center stage the rest of the week, the aides said.

Speakers at the convention are expected to make reference to Biden’s accomplishments, from helping lead the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic to winning passage of major infrastructure, climate and health care investments. Harris has used Biden’s policies as the foundation of her own  policy  plans.

Other notable speakers at the convention include Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, former Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Chuck Schumer, and House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.

When will Harris and Walz deliver their acceptance speeches?

Walz will deliver his vice presidential acceptance speech on Wednesday. Harris will give her presidential acceptance speech on Thursday, according to the DNC.

How to watch the DNC convention live?

NBC News will air a special report on this NBC station from 10 p.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET each night of the convention.

The convention will also be available on via streaming through  Peacock.

The primetime DNC coverage will air live from the United Center on the following dates/times:

• Aug. 19 at 10 p.m. ET
• Aug. 20 at 10 p.m. ET
• Aug. 21 at 9 p.m. ET
• Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. ET

This article tagged under:

'Lock him up' chants after Hillary Clinton's remarks on Trump crimes

Americans love free speech, survey finds − until they realize everyone else has it, too

Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, Head of Vanderbilt's Project on Unity and American Democracy, and Co-Director of Vanderbilt Poll, Vanderbilt University

Research Professor of Political Science and Executive Director of The Future of Free Speech, Vanderbilt University

Disclosure statement

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Vanderbilt University provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation US.

View all partners

Americans’ views on free speech change directions every so often. One of those times was during the protests at U.S. universities about the Israel-Hamas war. As scholars of free speech and public opinion , we set out to find out what happened and why.

The Supreme Court itself, as recently as 1989, has declared that the “bedrock principle” of the First Amendment is that “ the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.”

For years, conservative politicians and commentators have warned that college campuses are not strong enough protectors of free speech. But as demonstrations erupted, these same people complained that the protests were filled with antisemitic hate speech . Leading conservatives declared the demonstrations should be banned and halted, by force if necessary.

Liberals executed a similar reversal. Many of them have supported increased regulation of hate speech against minority groups. But during the campus protests, liberals cautioned that crackdowns by university administrators, state officials and the police violated protestors’ free speech rights.

As researchers at Vanderbilt University’s Project on Unity and American Democracy and The Future of Free Speech , respectively, we sought to determine where Americans stand. We drew inspiration from a poll done in November 1939 in which 3,500 Americans answered questions about free speech. In June 2024, we asked 1,000 Americans the identical questions.

When an abstract concept gets more concrete

We found that the vast majority of Americans – both then and now – agree that democracy requires freedom of speech. That’s in the abstract.

When the questions get more concrete, though, their support wanes.

Only about half of the respondents in both the 1939 and 2024 polls agreed that anybody in America should be allowed to speak on any subject at any time. The rest believed some speech – or certain subjects or speakers – should be prohibited.

This pattern is not unique to Americans. A 2021 survey in 33 countries by The Future of Free Speech , a nonpartisan think tank based at Vanderbilt, similarly found high levels of support for free speech in the abstract across all countries but lower support across the board for specific speech that was offensive to minority groups or religious beliefs.

We dug deeper in surveys in March and June 2024, asking which subjects or speakers should be banned. We thought the public’s appetite for free speech might have weakened amid the campus turmoil. We found the opposite.

When asked whether seven people with widely varied viewpoints should be allowed to speak, the share of people who said “Yes” rose for each one between March and June. Some of the differences were within the surveys’ margins of error, but it’s nevertheless noteworthy that all of them shifted in the same direction.

While showing a slightly increased appetite for free speech, these polls still fit with the overall contradiction: Large majorities of Americans passionately uphold free speech as a cornerstone of democracy. But fewer of them are supportive of free speech when faced with specific controversial speakers or topics.

The First Amendment is not an a la carte menu

Our surveys found that the public has a nuanced view of free speech. For instance, in our June 2024 survey we added some additional categories of potential speakers to the list we had asked about in March. More respondents were comfortable with a pro-Palestinian speaker than a leader of Hamas and with a scientist who believes that IQ varies by race rather than an outright white supremacist.

This pattern suggests that the public distinguishes between extreme and more moderate positions and is less tolerant of the rights of those with more extreme views.

This shift runs against the purpose of the First Amendment, which was intended to protect unpopular speech . The amendment very specifically was not intended to apply only to certain speakers or viewpoints.

Ours is not the only survey to find that many people don’t fully appreciate the logic and principles behind free speech.

In 2020, a Knight Foundation poll found that members of both political parties oppose speech that goes against their values or beliefs .

Later polls, including those conducted by other organizations, found more specifics: For instance, Democrats were more likely to support censorship of racist hate speech or vaccine misinformation.

And Republicans opposed drag shows and kneeling during the playing of the national anthem .

A February 2022 national poll commissioned by The New York Times and Siena College found that 30% of Americans believed that “ sometimes you have to shut down speech that is anti-democratic, bigoted, or simply untrue.”

A return to fundamentals

With the 2024 election looming and polarization increasing among Americans, some people may want only those who agree with them to be allowed to speak.

But a true commitment to the fundamental principles of free speech requires people to allow space for controversial and even offensive viewpoints to be aired.

History reveals that censorship of hateful ideas is often a cure that is worse than the disease , deepening social divides. James Madison, a key drafter of both the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment, wrote in 1800:

“ Some degree of abuse is inseparable from the proper use of every thing … it is better to leave a few of its noxious branches, to their luxuriant growth, than by pruning them away, to injure the vigor of those yielding the proper fruits.”

As the founders knew, a respect for diverse viewpoints and the ability to express those views – good, bad and harmful alike – in the public sphere are essential to a healthy democracy.

• Freedom of speech
• Antisemitism
• Hate speech
• First Amendment
• US Constitution
• US Founding Fathers
• Free expression
• The politics of freedom of speech
• freedom of speech on campus
• James Madison
• Vaccine misinformation
• Pro-Palestine protest
• Controversial ideas
• anti-Israeli sentiment
• Israel-Hamas war
• Campus debate
• Pro-Palestinian protest
• Pro-Palestinian protesters

OzGrav Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Indigenous Counsellor

Casual Facilitator: GERRIC Student Programs - Arts, Design and Architecture

Senior Lecturer, Digital Advertising

Manager, Centre Policy and Translation

Independence Day of India, 15 August 2024: History, Significance, Facts and all you need to know

The history of Indian independence

First Lady Jill Biden speaks during the Democratic National Convention Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

• Copy Link copied

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz applaud as first lady Jill Biden speaks during the first day of Democratic National Convention, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

First lady Jill Biden arrives to speak during the first day of Democratic National Convention, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

First lady Jill Biden speaks during the first day of Democratic National Convention, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

It’s Day 2 of the DNC, and there are 76 days until Election Day. Here’s what to know:

• Live updates: Follow The AP’s live coverage and analysis from the 2024 Democratic National Convention .
• Takeaways from night one : Biden delivered closing remarks, Rev. Jesse Jackson was honored, and other notable speakers included Hillary Clinton, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and First Lady Jill Biden. Here are the takeaways.
• Protests against the war in Gaza: Dozens of protesters broke through a security fence near the site of the Democratic National Convention on its opening day Monday as thousands took to the streets.

CHICAGO (AP) — Jill Biden once said that she knew marrying Joe Biden — then a senator from Delaware — would mean “a life in the spotlight that I had never wanted.”

On Monday night, now very accustomed to that spotlight, the first lady stood before the Democratic National Convention to do her part to highlight her husband’s 50 years of public service as his presidency begins to draw to a close.

Her words marked the beginning of an end for her, too.

Before the president walked across the stage at the United Center to deliver the keynote speech on the convention’s opening night, the first lady used her address to speak to his character and reiterate her support for Vice President Kamala Harris.

“Joe and I have been together for almost 50 years, and still there are moments when I fall in love with him all over again,” she said. Among them, she said, was watching him “dig deep into his soul and decide to no longer seek reelection and endorse Kamala Harris.”

▶ Follow The AP’s live coverage and analysis from the 2024 Democratic National Convention .

Jill Biden urged Americans to unite with “faith in each other, hope for a brighter future, and love for our country.”

President Biden endorsed Harris shortly after he dropped out of the presidential race in July, and she has succeeded him as the Democratic Party’s nominee.

In the weeks before Biden decided to leave the race, the first lady had declared that she was “all in” on her husband’s reelection plan, even as Democrats began calling on him to drop out following his disastrous performance in a debate against Republican Donald Trump on June 27.

Biden himself had brushed aside those calls, repeatedly insisting that he was staying in the race. His wife, one of his fiercest supporters and defenders, backed him up.

“For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he’s all in,” the first lady told a crowd in Wilmington, North Carolina, on July 8. “That’s the decision that he’s made, and just as he has always supported my career, I am all in, too.”

Biden pulled the plug on his campaign on July 21.

The president was introduced by Ashley Biden, his only living daughter, who humanized her father as “the OG girl dad” in a deeply personal speech.

She described “this extraordinary journey of being Joe Biden’s daughter,” remembering a time he made a special trip home during a busy period in Washington to be with her when she blew out candles on her eighth birthday, then got back on the train to return to the nation’s capital. And she lionized his public service, calling him “one of the most consequential leaders ever in history.”

After Joe Biden took the stage to extended applause and chants of “thank you Joe,” he proudly proclaimed, “that was my daughter!”

The first night of the four-day Democratic convention was rearranged after Biden bowed out. It honored his record of public service, including six terms as a U.S. senator from Delaware, eight years as vice president and one four-year term as president.

Jill Biden was with her husband through it all and now both are figuring out what they want to accomplish in the time they have left in the White House.

During the remaining months of the administration, which ends in mid-January, aides say Jill Biden will continue to work on her favored causes: supporting military families through her Joining Forces initiative, reducing cancer’s toll through the Biden Cancer Moonshot , advancing research into women’s health under an effort launched in November 2023, and increasing opportunities for education.

What to know about the 2024 Election

• Today’s news: Follow live updates from the campaign trail from the AP.
• Ground Game: Sign up for AP’s weekly politics newsletter to get it in your inbox every Monday.
• AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.

She is also expected to campaign for Harris this fall.

The first lady charted a new path for presidential spouses when she became the first to hold a paying job outside the White House. She is an English and writing professor at Northern Virginia Community College, where she has taught since 2009, and has been working on her lesson plans for the coming fall semester, aides said.

As first lady, Jill Biden traveled to over 40 states, over 200 towns and cities, and 19 countries, most recently leading a delegation to support Team USA at the Olympic Games in France.

She spent the first year of the administration traveling around the United States encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

In 2022, she traveled to Ukraine after Russia’s military invasion to show U.S. support for Ukrainians.

Associated Press writer Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this report.