Teaching Dialogue Punctuation Can Be Tough!

Punctuating dialogue correctly is quite complicated. Students typically require lots of repetition to master this skill. In this worksheet, students practice correctly adding commas, quotation marks, capital letters, periods, and other forms of punctuation to the sentences provided. Sometimes, the quoted speech occurs at the beginning of the sentence, and other times, it is found in the middle or at the end.

This worksheet will help your students confidently write dialogue in their narratives or other text types. 

An answer key is included with your download to make grading fast and easy!  

Grab Your Differentiated Quotation Marks Worksheets

The worksheet comes in three differentiated versions. The reading levels and amount of writing required vary. The easiest level is labeled with a circle, and the levels progress to the triangle and square versions. 

We have a Google Slides version for you if you wish to modify the resource further or write your own sentences!  

Download and Print Your Direct Speech Worksheets

The Download button has a dropdown icon, which allows you to choose between the PDF and Google Slides versions of this resource. 

Because this resource includes an answer sheet, we recommend you print one copy of the entire file. Then, make photocopies of the blank worksheet for students to complete.

Alternatively, project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class by having students record their answers in their notebooks. 

This resource was created by Jennifer Hall, a Teach Starter Collaborator.  

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities to shorten your lesson planning time:  

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Direct Speech - Teaching Presentation

Teach the rules of punctuating direct speech in texts with an interactive teaching presentation

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Using Quotation Marks - Task Cards

Practice adding double quotation marks to direct speech with printable quotation mark task cards.