Put quotation marks around direct quotations: "No comment," he said. She said, "Report to work on time." If a full paragraph of quoted material precedes another paragraph that continues the quotation, do not put quotation marks after the first paragraph. But do put quotation marks before the second paragraph.

Put quotation marks around words used ironically or unfamiliar terms used on first reference: The "tycoon" turned out to be a pauper. But avoid putting single words or terms in quotation marks to draw attention to them as slang, informal or cute.

Avoid fragmented quotations. Do not use quotation marks to report a few ordinary words used by a speaker or writer.

Don't put the words of one person into the mouths of many: Witnesses at the accident said there was "a tremendous bang, and then all hell broke loose."

Quotations within quotations: Use single quotation marks for passages contained within a direct quotation ("She said, 'Ouch!'").

Punctuation: The period and comma always go within the quotation marks. The dash, question mark and exclamation point go within the quotation marks when they apply to the quoted matter only. Colons and semicolons go outside quotation marks.

In headlines, use single quotation marks: Man cries 'Fire!' in theater, causes panic