When writing dialogue, it is important to correctly attribute the words to the correct speaker and to indicate changes in speaker. This can be done through the use of quotation marks and proper punctuation.
To properly quote dialogue, you should first introduce the speaker. This can be done through the use of a comma or by starting a new paragraph. For example:
"I'm so excited to see the movie," said Jane.
or
Jane said, "I'm so excited to see the movie."
Next, you should include the dialogue itself within quotation marks. For example:
"I'm so excited to see the movie," said Jane. "I heard it's really good."
If the dialogue being spoken is a question or exclamation, include a question mark or exclamation point within the quotation marks. For example:
"Do you want to come with me to the movie?" asked Jane.
"Yes, I'd love to!" replied John.
If the dialogue being spoken is a long paragraph or multiple paragraphs, start a new paragraph for each speaker and include quotation marks at the beginning and end of each paragraph. For example:
"I don't understand why you would want to see that movie," said Jane. "It looks really boring to me.
"I don't know, I just have a feeling it might be good," replied John. "Plus, I heard the special effects are really impressive."
It is important to include the proper punctuation outside of the quotation marks, as well. If the quote is a complete sentence, end it with a period or question mark. If the quote is not a complete sentence, do not include a period or question mark within the quotation marks.
It is also important to indicate a change in speaker by starting a new paragraph or using a comma. For example:
"I'm so excited to see the movie," said Jane. "I heard it's really good."
"I'm not so sure," replied John. "I heard mixed reviews."
By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately quote dialogue in your writing.