Citing quotes? Please help.

[MariaM]

I'm writing an essay, and I need to know how to properly cite a quote.

I know how to do this. (exmaple)

"The boy argued, and said 'It's time to eat!' while constantly blah ablha"

But what if I want to start the quote with words said? Would I have to have it like:

ex. 2 " 'Maybe if you came home tonight, it'd be better', said Jane. 'But why?'"

or

ex.3 "Maybe if yo ucame home tonight, it'd be better', said Jane. 'But why?"

Notice how there are the 2 beginning marks in ex. 2, and then the extra one? Does anyone know if that is needed?

[Dorothy39]

I should know this myself ( all those English and Composition classes)

To cite such a quote, you would place what the person ( in this case, Jane) said.

" Why would coming home tonight be better"? Jane asked.

Glad I'm not writng that essay!!!!

[Killearn Kitties]

I'm a bit confused. I don't understand why you have two lots of quotation marks. As far as I am aware, only the words spoken should be in quotation marks, eg

"Maybe if you came home tonight, it'd be better", said Jane. "But why ..... ?" (I am assuming there are more words to go in here?)