Y06W20GR Quotation punctuation basics
Quotation Punctuation Basics
When a writer uses words directly from a text, those words need to be introduced clearly and punctuated correctly. A well-punctuated quotation tells the reader exactly where the borrowed words begin and end, and who or what said them. Getting this pattern right is a key skill for any writing that uses evidence.
- What a reporting clause is and how it introduces a quotation
- How to punctuate a short quotation using quotation marks and a comma
- How to keep quotation punctuation consistent and correct across a paragraph
- Quotation — the exact words taken from a text or speaker, always enclosed in quotation marks to show they are borrowed
- Reporting clause — the phrase that introduces a quotation, such as the author writes or the character says; it tells the reader the source of the words
- Quotation marks — punctuation marks placed before and after the borrowed words; in Australian English, single quotation marks ('like this') are the standard convention
- Comma — a comma separates the reporting clause from the quoted words, placed just before the opening quotation mark
- Embedding — placing a quotation inside a sentence rather than leaving it to stand alone; this connects evidence directly to the writer's own point
How it works
In Year 5 you learnt how to punctuate direct speech using quotation marks and reporting clauses. This module builds on that — you will now control the position of reporting clauses and punctuate quotations accurately in explanatory and argumentative writing.
1The reporting clause
A reporting clause names the source of the words being quoted. It always comes before or after the quoted words and contains a reporting verb such as writes, states, explains, or says.
- Reporting verb carries the action of speaking or writing; for example, the author writes, the teacher explains, and the character says are all reporting clauses with clear verbs
- Position — the reporting clause most commonly comes before the quotation in Year 6 writing; for example, The author writes, 'The forest was completely silent.'
- Source clarity — the reporting clause tells the reader exactly who produced the quoted words, which keeps the writing clear and credible
2Comma and quotation mark placement
The comma and quotation marks work together to frame the quoted words precisely. Knowing exactly where each one goes removes the most common errors in quotation punctuation.
- Comma placement — the comma follows the reporting clause and comes before the opening quotation mark; for example, The text states, 'Water covers over seventy per cent of the Earth's surface.'
- Opening quotation mark — in Australian English, a single quotation mark (') opens the quoted words immediately after the comma
- Closing quotation mark — the closing single quotation mark comes after the final word of the quote and before the full stop of the whole sentence; for example, The author writes, 'The journey took three long days.'
3Keeping quotations short and connected
A short, well-chosen quotation works better than a long one. The quoted words should connect directly to the point the writer is making in that sentence.
- Short quotes are easier to punctuate and easier for the reader to follow; a quotation of one clause or one sentence is usually enough
- Connection — the sentence that contains the quotation must make sense as a whole; for example, The author describes the setting as, 'dark and completely still,' connects the evidence to the descriptive point being made
- Avoid floating quotes — a quotation should never stand alone as its own sentence without a reporting clause to introduce it; for example, writing 'The forest was silent.' with no introduction leaves the reader uncertain about its source
See it in action
Adding a reporting clause to an unsupported quotation
'The journey took three long days.'
The narrator tells us, 'The journey took three long days.'
Adding the reporting clause tells the reader who said the words and connects the evidence to the paragraph.
Fixing comma and quotation mark placement
The author writes 'Water covers over seventy per cent of the Earth's surface.'
The author writes, 'Water covers over seventy per cent of the Earth's surface.'
The comma after the reporting clause is needed to separate it from the quoted words before the opening quotation mark.
Fixing missing quotation marks
The text states that the forest was completely silent.
The text states, 'The forest was completely silent.'
Quotation marks show that these are the exact words from the source, not the writer's own paraphrase.
- A reporting clause introduces a quotation and names the source using a reporting verb such as writes, states, or says
- A comma follows the reporting clause and comes directly before the opening quotation mark
- In Australian English, single quotation marks enclose the quoted words
- The closing quotation mark follows the last word of the quote, before the sentence's full stop
- A quotation should never stand alone — it always needs a reporting clause to introduce it
- reporting clause(n.) a phrase containing a reporting verb that introduces quoted words, such as the author states or the character explains
- quotation marks(n.) single (' ') or double (" ") punctuation marks placed around borrowed words; Australian English conventionally uses single quotation marks
- embedding(n.) the placing of a quotation inside a writer's own sentence so that evidence connects directly to the point being made
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.