Quotations

Quotation marks are used when referring to a chapter, article, essay or lecture title. They are also used with the first mention of a technical term, for a word or phrase that has been coined (for example, “the sector will experience a ‘cost disease’ as wages grow …”), for ironic emphasis or colloquial usages.

Use double quotation marks for quoted material, with single quotation marks for quotes appearing within quotes, ironic emphasis or colloquial or coined usages.

In some headings and feature quotes, double quotation marks can look cumbersome – single marks can be used at the designer’s/editor’s discretion.

When quoting a long piece of text (more than two sentences or 50 words), indent it and set in it in a different font style. These block quotations do not need quotation marks.

Other punctuation in and around quotes should follow these rules:

• If the punctuation mark is part of the quote, keep it within the quotation marks as per: “Are you going to apply for the position?” the chair asked.
• If the punctuation is not part of the quote, place it outside the final quotation mark as in the following example: Telegraphy has been called “the Victorian internet”; it was the first application of electricity.
• Where a quote is in parentheses or between dashes, place the quote marks inside the parentheses or dashes, as in the following example: His exact words (“We will never surrender”) showed his determination.