Quoting accurately: When and how to use quotation marks?

Quotation marks play an essential role in both typography and grammar. They always work in pairs: the opening quotation mark and the closing quotation mark.
They are used to transcribe exact words of a borrowed passage, highlight specific words or phrases, or indicate irony. However, each language uses different styles of quotation mark: single or double rafters, straight or curly forms, with varying positions and orientations.
To become an expert on quotation marks and use them correctly, we'll explain everything you need to know.

1. What types of quotation marks are there?
2. How to type quotation marks on your keyboard?
3. When should you use quotation marks?
4. Why use quotation marks?
5. How to choose between quotation marks and italics?

1. What types of Quotation Marks?

Different styles of quotation marks have different names based on their form: 

«…» : French quotation marks, 

»…« : German quotation marks, 

“...” : English/American quotation marks,

‘...’ : Single quotation marks.

In French, a non-breaking space is required between the quotation marks and the words inside them. In other languages, no space is used. In all languages, there should be a space before opening quotation marks, but not after the closing ones.

4. Why Use Quotation Marks?

Quotation Marks for Direct Quotes

Beyond typographical rules, these punctuation marks allow you to faithfully reproduce the words of an author.

Example: She said: “Life is beautiful.”

Things get more complicated when there are one or more quotes within a quote. 
For the main quote, nothing changes, we use quotation marks according to the language used. If there's another quote inside the internal quote, we use single quotation marks ‘...’ without spaces between the quotation marks and the words inside.

Example: “During the exam, the teacher reminded: ‘Don't forget what Victor Hugo said: ‘Freedom begins where ignorance ends.’ Use this quote to support your arguments.’”

Quotation Marks for Titles of Works

Titles of articles, chapters, poems, or short works are often placed in quotation marks.

Example: I read the article “New Marketing Trends” in a newspaper.

Quotation Marks for Irony

Quotation marks can indicate that a word is used ironically or figuratively.

Example: He is considered a “genius” by his colleagues.

Quotation Marks for Speech or Dialogue

In literature, dialogues are often enclosed in quotation marks.

Example: “How are you?” he asked.

Stylistic Effect: Quotation Marks or Italics?

If you want to draw attention to a word or phrase for ironic effect or to emphasize a particular meaning, quotation marks are appropriate. 

Example: He considers himself an "expert" in writing, but he doesn't even know how to cite his sources.

If the intent is to indicate a technical word, expression, or Latin name, italics are more suitable.

Example: She has a special something in her style.

Sometimes you may need to use both quotation marks and italics in the same sentence.

Example: She said: “To kill a mockingbird is a must-read novel.”

From a typographical standpoint, it's not mandatory to italicize your quote within quotation marks. However, you can make this choice for emphasis and aesthetic purposes.