Quotations

When to use double or single quotation marks and how to format quotes.

Double quotation marks

Use double quotation marks for direct speech, or when quoting directly from a text.

Introducing and ending quotations

If the quote can stand alone as a full sentence, introduce it with a colon. The full stop goes inside the quotation marks.

Example of a quote that can stand alone

She says: “Working with Rob over the past nine years has been an absolute honour and a real pleasure.”

If the quote cannot stand alone, there is no need to introduce it with a colon or comma. The full stop goes outside the quotation mark.

Example of a quote that cannot stand alone

The fellowship supports candidates to complete a dissertation that “engages meaningfully with financial history in any region of the world”.

If the quote is followed by a reporting clause (for example ‘says Dr Joe Kennedy’), use a comma inside the closing quotation mark.

Example of a quote followed by a reporting clause

“This could have transformative effects on efforts to combat climate change,” says Dr Joe Kennedy.

Block quotes   

For longer quotes, or to make a quote to stand out, consider applying block quote styling to the text. This will format the text differently from surrounding content.

How to use block quotes in EdWeb 2 (University login required)

Quoting multiple paragraphs 

When quoting multiple paragraphs, use opening quotation marks at the start of each paragraph. Use closing marks only at the end of the final paragraph.

Single quotation marks

Use single quotation marks for:

  • individual words and phrases
  • words and phrases quoted within direct speech
  • titles of projects, essays, articles, songs and poems

Examples

Researchers recorded both symptom-based flares and ‘objective’ flares.

Dr Shona Roberts said: “The policy clearly states that ‘there is no alternative to the current course of action’.”  

Professor Andrew Erskine has recently been awarded a one-year Leverhulme Research Fellowship for the project ‘Intellectual Culture in the Hellenistic World’. 

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