Dialogue Detectives Worksheet
ELA Grade 7 • Editing & Mechanics
DIALOGUE DETECTIVES
Case File: Master Punctuation, Capitalization & Speech Tags
Name:
Date: Period:
Editor's Field Guide: 4 Cardinal Rules
1. Inside Marks Commas and periods stay inside quotes: "Stop," he said.
2. Speech Tags Start quotes with a capital. Keep tags lowercase: Mia whispered, "Run!"
3. ? and ! Put ? or ! inside quotes. Do not add a comma: "Why?" asked Leo.
4. Split Quotes If 1 sentence is split, don't capitalize part 2: "Yes," he said, "we can."
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Part 1: Diagnostic Check — Identify the Correct Sentence
Circle the single correct option in each case.
1. Tag at End
A. "The bus is leaving", shouted Jordan.
B. "The bus is leaving," shouted Jordan.
C. "The bus is leaving," Shouted Jordan.
2. Spoken Question
A. "Did you solve number six?," asked Elena.
B. "Did you solve number six"? asked Elena.
C. "Did you solve number six?" asked Elena.
3. Split Dialogue
A. "If it rains," warned Dad, "we will cancel the hike."
B. "If it rains" warned Dad, "We will cancel the hike."
C. "If it rains," warned Dad "we will cancel the hike."
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Part 2: Sentence Surgery — Rewrite with Correct Punctuation
Rewrite each sentence completely on the lines provided.
Sentence 4: Tag at End • Contraction
dont look now whispered carter but the principal is walking toward our table
Write:
Sentence 5: Introductory Tag • Question
priya asked are you going to science club or are you staying after for soccer practice
Write:
Sentence 6: Tag at End • Exclamation
watch out for that broken glass warned devon before anyone takes another step
Write:
Dialogue Detectives • Grade 7 English Language Arts Page 1 of 2
Editorial Desk • Section B
The Broken Manuscript Investigation
Focus Rules: New Speaker = New Paragraph & Split Quotes
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Part 3: Rewrite the Scene with Speaker Paragraphs
The passage below between Amir and Zoe is missing all quotation marks, commas, capitalization, and paragraph indentations. Rewrite the conversation below. Indent each time the speaker changes.
UNEDITED EVIDENCE amir whispered look what i discovered behind the vintage encyclopedias zoe leaned over his shoulder and gasped is that an antique brass key i think it unlocks the door at the end of the hall he replied we should test it before fifth period begins she urged
Student Editor Rewrite (Remember to indent each new speaker): 4 distinct speaker paragraphs required
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Part 4: Split Dialogue Challenge (Interrupted Speech)
Decide if it is one sentence or two sentences!
Challenge A (Single Sentence Interrupted by Tag): Lowercase continuation
we need to gather all the lab supplies remarked mr davis before the bell rings
Rewrite:
Challenge B (Two Separate Sentences Split by Tag): Period after tag + Capitalize new sentence
put on your safety goggles instructed coach diaz chemicals can splash unexpectedly
Rewrite:
Editor's Final Inspection Checklist
Quotation marks surround ONLY the spoken words. Commas and periods are INSIDE the quotation marks. A new, indented paragraph begins when speaker changes. Dialogue tags are correctly punctuated and lowercase.
Dialogue Detectives • Grade 7 English Language Arts Page 2 of 2
Dialogue Detectives Answer Key
Teacher Resource • Complete Answer Key
DIALOGUE DETECTIVES ANSWER KEY
Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.2, W.7.3.b (Grade 7 Conventions)
Scoring Total 25 Points Total
Key 7th-Grade Teaching Insight: Students most frequently err by placing commas outside the closing quotation mark (influenced by British conventions or math grouping) and capitalizing the continuation of an interrupted single sentence. Reinforce that US publishing style keeps commas and periods strictly inside the quote marks.
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Part 1 Solutions: Diagnostic Check (3 pts • 1 pt each)
Correct Choice Annotated
1. Tag at End Answer: B
A. Comma outside quote (Error)
B. "The bus is leaving," shouted Jordan.
C. Capital "Shouted" tag (Error)
Rule: Comma inside quotes; speech tag remains lowercase.
2. Spoken Question Answer: C
A. Double punctuation ?, (Error)
B. ? placed outside quotes (Error)
C. "Did you solve number six?" asked Elena.
Rule: Question mark replaces the comma inside closing quotes.
3. Split Dialogue Answer: A
A. "If it rains," warned Dad, "we will cancel the hike."
B. Missing comma & Capital "We" (Error)
C. Missing comma after Dad (Error)
Rule: Both parts need commas; second speech clause begins lowercase.
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Part 2 Solutions: Sentence Surgery (6 pts • 2 pts each)
1 pt for correct quote/comma placement • 1 pt for capitalization & tags
Sentence 4 Model Solution: Split Tag Placement
"Don't look now," whispered Carter, "but the principal is walking toward our table."
Key Corrections: Capitalize Don't with apostrophe; comma inside first quote; lowercase tag whispered; comma after Carter; lowercase but (clause continuation); period inside ending quote.
Sentence 5 Model Solution: Introductory Tag & Question
Priya asked, "Are you going to science club, or are you staying after for soccer practice?"
Key Corrections: Comma after intro tag asked; open quote before capital Are; question mark inside closing quotation mark (NO period or comma at sentence end).
Sentence 6 Model Solution: Exclamation & Interrupted Clause
"Watch out for that broken glass!" warned Devon, "before anyone takes another step."
Key Corrections: Exclamation point inside quotes; speech tag warned remains lowercase; comma after Devon; lowercase before; final period inside closing quote.
