Use double quotation marks for almost everything. This includes:

For direct speech and quotes:

<aside> ✅ "What happens next is up for discussion," she said.

</aside>

When you want to draw attention to a particular word or phrase:

<aside> ✅ Avoid writing "eg" when you can use "for example" instead.

</aside>

To refer to an individual song, article within a larger publication or short story:

<aside> ✅ My favourite short story is "Don't Look Now" by Daphne Du Maurier.

</aside>

If the quote is more than one paragraph, add double quote marks at the beginning of each new paragraph, but only at the end of the final one:

<aside> ✅ The Vice Chancellor said: "The university is committed to making a difference in all our cities and regions.

"We are stewards of a pioneering and entrepreneurial tradition of creativity and innovation.

"Our aim is to empower and support students and staff to collaborate in order to solve problems and improve lives."

</aside>

Use a colon to introduce reported speech:

<aside> ✅ She said: "Our vision is to be a university without borders and to change the world for the better."

</aside>

Any punctuation relating to the quote goes within the quote marks, and any other punctuation sits outside it:

<aside> ✅ “Out,” said Lady Macbeth, “damn’d spot!”

</aside>

<aside> ✅ “After all, tomorrow,” said Scarlett, “is another day.”

</aside>