Additional Punctuation Rules When Using Quotation Marks
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Use a comma to introduce a quotation after a standard dialogue tag, a brief introductory phrase, or a dependent clause.
Put commas and periods within quotation marks, except when a parenthetical reference follows.
Place colons and semicolons outside closed quotation marks.
Place a question mark or exclamation point within closing quotation marks if the punctuation applies to the quotation itself. Place the punctuation outside the closing quotation marks if the punctuation applies to the whole sentence.