What is the correct use of air quotes?

The air-quoted phrase is—in the most common usage—very short, at most a few words. Air quotes are often used to express satire, sarcasm, irony or euphemism, among others, and are analogous to scare quotes in print.

Are air quotes single or double?

You’re probably familiar with quotation marks – those double scoops in the air (“ ”), used before and after we relay something someone said or wrote, verbatim….British Usage of Single Quotation Marks

• That’s not what Harry told me.
• My teacher said, ‘Sally, your mum always wears such lovely dresses.

Do commas go inside air quotes?

In the United States, the rule of thumb is that commas and periods always go inside the quotation marks, and colons and semicolons (dashes as well) go outside: “There was a storm last night,” Paul said.

How do you properly include a quote?

For quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, place quotations in a free-standing block of text and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented 1/2 inch from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing.

How do French people do air quotes?

The air-quoted phrase is accompanied by a two-finger gesture mimicking the shape of imaginary quotation marks.

How do you punctuate air quotes?

As the term applies to the set of quotation marks that are being traced in the air, air quotes is always plural.

Do periods go outside quotations?

Put commas and periods within quotation marks, except when a parenthetical reference follows. Place the punctuation outside the closing quotation marks if the punctuation applies to the whole sentence.

How do you start a quote explanation?

To do the summary, rephrase the quotation in your own words. You can begin this sentence by using a phrase such as “In other words…” or “This refers to…” Example: In other words, communism throws out all beliefs, not only ones that counter communism. Analyzing a quotation is much different from summarizing a quotation.

How do you transition to a quote?

When you use quotes, you must first use a transitional phrase (such as “For example,…”, “In addition”, “Furthermore”, etc…). This is called the transition. Secondly, you must first provide the context of the quote (who is speaking and in what situation?). This is called the lead-in.

Can you use air quotes in an essay?

Air quotes designate that what you’re saying should not be taken at face value. You are being sarcastic or lying outright. In your writing, they’re used in the same way.

What are air quotes used for?

The air-quoted phrase is—in the most common usage—very short, at most a few words. Air quotes are often used to express satire, sarcasm, irony or euphemism, among others, and are analogous to scare quotes in print.

What do air quotes mean?

Air quotes are a form of body language and gesturing, usually paired with an accompanying word or phrase that is meant to imply a different meaning to the words or phrase being used. A similar form in print are called scare quotes, where a word is placed in quotation marks to cast doubt on the way…

What is the origin of ‘air quotes’?

The term “air quotes” first appeared in a 1989 Spy magazine article by Paul Rudnick and Kurt Andersen, who state it became a common gesture around 1980. The gesture was used routinely in the TV show Celebrity Charades (1979) as the standard signal for a quote or phrase.

What does air quote mean?

air quotes. plural noun. a gesture in which two fingers of each hand draw quotation marks in the air, used when uttering a word or phrase one does not think is appropriate or accurate.Compare scare quotes.