Activities

1. Identify the sentences that show direct quotes, based on their use of commas and quotation marks.
   
   
2. Identify the sentence that shows the correct usage of commas and quotation marks in a direct quote.

3. Compare direct quotations with indirect quotations and determine the similarities and differences between the two types of quotations.
   
   
4. Summarize the rules associated with writing out direct quotes.

5. Critically assess and revise a given paragraph for comma and quotation mark use in direct speech or quotations.
   
   
6. Write a dialogue consisting of at least 10 lines, demonstrating understanding of correct usage of commas and quotation marks in direct speech. Vary sentence structure to show several usage patterns.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. The student will use their knowledge of the use of commas and quotation marks in direct quotes to identify which sentence in each set is a direct quote. Sentence sets should include a direct quote and an indirect quote (e.g. Martha was talking about going to the beach. or Our teacher told us that the project would be due at the end of the week.). Look for the student to be able to distinguish between a direct quotation and indirect references.

2. The student will correctly identify the sentence that shows the correct usage of commas and quotation marks in a direct quote from sets of sentences. Correct examples should include quotes at the beginning and end of a sentence, as well as sentences where the quote is broken up by the rest of the sentence. Incorrect options should include common errors such as leaving out the comma, using only one set of quotation marks, or not capitalizing the quotation.

3. The student will compare direct quotations or speech with indirect quotations and will determine the differences and similarities between them. Acceptable answers may include, but are not limited to noting that indirect quotations do not include quotation marks, that commas are not necessarily used to offset the speaker from the quotation, and that both types of quotations explain what another person said.

4. The student will explain, in their own words, the rules for writing out direct quotations. The student will include proper use of commas and quotation marks in their explanation. Look for the student to understand the various ways that a sentence can be broken up with quotation marks and commas, as well as the need to have two sets of quotation marks.

5. The student will assess and revise a given paragraph for correct usage of commas and quotation marks in direct quotations or direct speech. The student will identify instances of direct speech or direct quotations, and will ensure that the correct punctuation is used in each. Look for the student to correctly identify the quotations, and to show their understanding of how quotation marks and commas in quotations and speech by correcting them as necessary.

6. The student will construct a dialogue showing correct usage of commas and quotation marks in direct speech. The student should vary sentence structure to show understanding of the different ways sentences with quotes can be put together and the comma and quotation mark rules associated with each. Common errors may include misplacing the comma, using only one set of quotation marks, and placing punctuation outside the final set of quotations marks.