Writing Tips: Quotation Marks

Quotation Marks

Single quotation mark versus double quotation mark

When quoting, or putting a word in quotes, always use DOUBLE quotation marks.

Only when the quote is within a quote is the single quotation mark OK (unless the quote is an extract, which is not enclosed in quotes to begin with; a quote within an extract also gets double quotation marks).

Or a single quotation mark is correct if you are talking about a cultivar.
You write: She told me it was the 'truth.'
You're saying: truth is an organism of an agricultural or horticultural variety originating and persistent under cultivation. And if this is the case, truth should be capitalized.
'Truth.' Cultivar of champions.

Maybe if we change keyboards so that the shift keys make the quotation mark single, then the problem may not be as bad. And it may stop the disgusting overuse of misplaced apostrophes. (Yes, the Oakland Athletics jerseys should read "As." They should have thought of that before they abbreviated their name. Now they have to go out every game with a fragment on their shirts. I don't know how they live with the shame.)

The lesson: Use double quotation marks. Your odds are far better.

Punctuation with quotation marks

First tip: When in doubt, put the punctuation INSIDE the quotation marks. Inside is where those oft-used periods and commas go. Not-so-oft-used semicolons and colons go outside. Question marks and exclamation points go inside or out depending on context; with these buggers you're going to have to make a decision-but don't worry, I'm here to help.

Examples:
Correct: The book editor said, "Johnny Depp is attractive."
Incorrect: The book editor said, "Johnny Depp is unattractive".

Correct: Johnny Depp has been described as "smart, funny, and handsome"; "dark and mysterious"; and "hot."
Incorrect: Johnny Depp has been described as "dumb, dull, and ugly;" "light and fluffy;" and "fugly".

Now onto question marks and exclamation points. These depend on whether they belong with the quoted material. Inside if the quote is a question or exclamation, outside if not.