The Quotation Mark
27 rules
Capitalization and Quotation Marks in Titles
Capitalize the first and last word of all titles regardless of formatting. Capitalize all other words except short prepositions, short conjunctions, and the articles a/an/the. Use quotation marks around titles of complete or lengthy works (though italics are also acceptable). Use quotation marks around titles of works that are part of a larger whole or are brief (articles, chapters, songs, poems).
Capitalization of First Word Inside Quotation Marks
Capitalize the first word inside quotation marks if it begins a grammatically complete sentence or stands for a complete thought. Do not capitalize the first word if it begins a fragment that does not represent a complete thought — the fragment is part of the surrounding sentence.
Quotation Marks Around Foreign Words
Use quotation marks to surround foreign words (or consider changing to italics). When the foreign word is in a language that does not share our alphabet, consider using all caps and/or quotation marks and/or a blurb (phonetic notation) to indicate the words.
No Special Notation for Latin Legal Terms
Do not use any special notation (quotation marks, italics, or other formatting) for Latin legal terms, as they are considered to be regular English words in legal contexts. Terms like in limine, res judicata, ex parte, pro bono, and habeas corpus need no special treatment.
Quotation Marks Around Unusual or Coined Words
Use quotation marks around words that are commonly known but are being used with an unusual meaning, and around words that are coined or made up. However, when a transcript is filled with words that seem to be English words but are not — mispronounced or nonstandard words throughout the testimony — do not quote any of them. Quoting every mispronounced word would clutter the transcript.
Quotation Marks for a Spoken Phrase Used as an Adjective
When the adjective in front of a noun is something someone might say in a conversation — a phrase used as an adjective — use quotation marks to surround it instead of hyphenating it. This is common in casual testimony.
Handling Spoken 'Quote' and 'Unquote' in Testimony
When the word "quote" or "unquote" is spoken aloud by a witness or attorney, put in the words as said, surround them with commas, and also use the quotation marks around the quoted material. The spoken "quote/unquote" signals that the speaker is intentionally quoting.
Quotation Marks Around Defined or Identified Words
Use quotation marks around a word or phrase when it is being defined, further identified, or specifically pointed out in the testimony. This is common during objections (e.g., objecting to a specific word used) and when attorneys question witnesses about specific word choices.
Punctuation Before Quotation Marks Based on Grammar
Base the punctuation in front of quotation marks on the grammar in the sentence rather than on the quotation marks themselves. The quoted word may be the object of a preposition (no comma), a direct object (no comma), an essential appositive (no comma), or other grammatical role that determines whether punctuation precedes the quote.
Punctuation to Close Off Direct Discourse and Non-Lead-In Words
When the lead-in words have been separated from the direct discourse with punctuation and the sentence continues, use another mark of punctuation to close off the direct discourse. However, when the words that precede direct discourse are not lead-in words (the quote is the object of a preposition or serves another grammatical role), do not use punctuation before the quoted material.
No Quotation Marks with Indirect Discourse
Do not use quotation marks with indirect discourse — when someone's words are reported or paraphrased rather than quoted directly. Indirect discourse typically uses words like "said that," "told him that," or "asked whether."
Lead-In Words at the End of the Sentence
When the lead-in words come at the end of the sentence (after the quoted material), separate the quote from the lead-in words with appropriate punctuation for what is being said or asked inside the quoted material. Use the punctuation appropriate for the lead-in words as the terminal punctuation for the sentence.
Lead-In Words in the Middle of a Quotation
When the lead-in words come in the middle of the quoted material, surround them with punctuation and use the punctuation appropriate for the quoted material as the terminal punctuation for the sentence.
Sentence Continues After the Quoted Material
When there are lead-in words and the sentence continues after the quoted material: if the quoted material is a statement, use a comma inside the quotation mark; if the quoted material is a question, use a question mark inside the quotation mark. In both cases, use appropriate terminal punctuation for the overall sentence.
Single and Double Quote Nesting with Question Marks
When single quotes are nested inside double quotes and question marks are involved: if the question is inside the single quotes, put the question mark inside the single quotes regardless of what the double quotes are doing. If the single quotes contain a statement but the double quotes contain a question, close the single quotes first, then put the question mark, then close the double quotes. If the single quotes contain a statement inside double quotes that also contain a statement, and the overall sentence is a question, close the single quotes, close the double quotes, then put the question mark.
Use Quotation Marks for Direct Quotations
Use quotation marks to set off direct quotations — the speaker's exact words. When a direct quotation is divided into two parts by an interrupting expression like 'he said,' 'I replied,' or 'she answered,' end the first part with a comma inside the closing quotation mark, place a comma after the interrupting expression, open the quotation marks around the second part, and do not capitalize the first word of the resumed quotation unless it is a proper noun or 'I.' If the two parts are independent clauses with no conjunction between them, use a period after the interrupting expression and before the resumed clause.
Quotation Marks Optional Around Very Short Responses
For very short responses such as 'yes,' 'no,' 'fine,' 'sure,' or 'okay,' it is easier and just as acceptable to omit the quotation marks. Sometimes the difference between what should be quoted and what should not is very subtle — for short responses, either way works.
Quotation Marks When Witness Believes the Quote Is Accurate
When a witness testifies to his or her own words or those of someone else in the form of a direct quote and believes those words to be accurate, use quotation marks — even if the speaker does not render the quote perfectly. On rare occasions when it is difficult to tell where the quote begins or ends, do not use quotation marks; let the record speak for itself.
Quotation Marks Around Fragments of Quoted Material
Use quotation marks for fragments of quoted material that are embedded within a sentence. No commas are used to set off the fragments, and no capitals are used for the first word of fragments within a sentence.
Quotation Marks at Each New Paragraph of Continuous Quoted Material
When quoted material continues across multiple paragraphs, use opening quotation marks at the beginning of every new paragraph but use closing quotation marks only at the conclusion of the entire passage. This shows that the quote is continuous without prematurely closing it at each paragraph break.
Single Quotation Marks for a Quote Within a Quote
When a quotation appears within a quotation, use a single quotation mark (the apostrophe key on most keyboards) for the inner quotation. If additional quotes within quotes occur, alternate from double to single to double as needed.
Use Only One End Punctuation Mark with Inner and Outer Quotations
When a sentence ends with both an inner quotation and an outer quotation closing at the same point, use only one mark of end punctuation — not two. Avoid stacking question marks, periods, or other terminal punctuation.
Do Not Enclose 'Etc.' Within Quoted Material
Do not enclose the word 'etc.' within the quoted material unless it actually appears in the original quote. The reporter should add 'etc.' outside the closing quotation mark, set off by commas as needed.
No Quotation Marks Around Unspoken Thoughts (But Capitalize First Word)
Generally, do not use quotation marks for unspoken thoughts or wishes. However, do capitalize the first word of the complete expression to mark it as a self-contained thought.
Quotation Marks Around Letters of the Alphabet
Use quotation marks around letters of the alphabet if they are not capitalized or if they are likely to be misread. Capitalized letters generally do not need quotation marks unless they could be confused with words. The exception is words like 'nth degree' — do not put quotes around 'nth' because it functions as a word.
Documents Read into the Record Must Be Quoted Exactly
If a document is given to the court reporter to be copied for the record, the material must be quoted exactly as originally written. Include incorrect spelling, faulty punctuation, or incorrect grammar if any appears in the original. If a document is read in court and parts are intentionally deleted in the reading, use ellipsis points to show the omissions.
No Quotation Marks Around Nicknames Unless Unusual or Within a Legal Name
Do not use quotation marks around nicknames unless the nickname is very unusual or it is placed within the legal name. Common nicknames used as a person's regular name do not need quotes.