Definition: Quotation marks are usually a pair of symbols used at the beginning and end of text that is quoted word for word, dialogue (such as in a book), and around the titles of some short works. The specific style of quotation mark varies by language or country. Curly quotes refers to the style of quotation marks used in properly typeset material.
In the English language specifically, curly quotes are not the " and ' marks found on a standard keyboard. These marks are properly reserved for mathematical notations, non-typeset material, and informal communications such as email. There are two separate double curly quotes (open or left quote and closed or right quote) and separate single curly quote symbols. It can vary by typeface, but typically the opening or left quote mark is an inverted and reversed version of the closed mark. They might be described as looking like tiny 6's and 9's (with the counters closed in)
- On a Mac, use Option+] and Shift+Option+] for the left (open) and right (closed) single curly quotes. For Windows, use ALT 0145 and ALT 0146 for the left and right single curly quotes (hold down the ALT key and type the numbers on the numeric keypad).
- On a Mac, use Option+[ and Shift+Option+[ for the left and right double curly quotes. For Windows, use ALT 0147 and ALT 0148 for the left and right double curly quotes.
Automatic Curly Quotes
Some word processing and page layout programs have a feature called smart quotes that will automatically convert regular or typewriter style quotation marks to curly quotes.Also Known As: book quotes | curved quotes | smart quotes | typographer's quotation marks | typeset quotes
