Short Answer
Quotation marks are used to indicate direct speech and differentiate it from the text. To use them correctly, identify the direct speech, apply appropriate punctuation (like commas), and ensure the quotation is enclosed properly.
Step 1: Understand Quotation Marks
Quotation marks are essential for indicating the exact words spoken by a person in direct speech. They help differentiate the speaker’s words from the rest of the text. When using quotation marks, remember to place them correctly around the spoken words to convey the exact message accurately.
Step 2: Identify Direct Speech
To use quotation marks correctly, identify the part of the sentence that is direct speech. This is often a quote or a phrase that someone has said. In our example, the direct speech is: “treat others the way you want to be treated.” Recognizing this will help you apply punctuation rules correctly.
Step 3: Implement Punctuation Conventions
Combine the correctly identified direct speech with appropriate punctuation. In the example sentence, it is important to include a comma before the opening quotation mark and to ensure the quotation is closed with a mark. The complete sentence should read: My grandmother told me, “treat others the way you want to be treated.” This illustrates correct punctuation usage in direct speech.