As a language expert with a deep understanding of English grammar and punctuation, I can provide you with a comprehensive explanation regarding the placement of full stops in relation to quotation marks. The rules can vary depending on the style guide you are following, which is often determined by the region or the publication you are writing for.

In American English, the general rule is that punctuation marks, including full stops (also known as periods), commas, and colons, are placed before the closing quotation mark if the punctuation applies to the entire sentence. However, if the punctuation is part of the quoted material itself, then it would be placed inside the quotation marks. For example:

> She said, "I will go to the store," which was a surprising decision.

In this case, the comma is part of the larger sentence, so it precedes the closing quotation mark. But if the punctuation is part of the quote, it would be inside:

> She asked, "Where is the library?"

Here, the question mark is part of the question being quoted, so it is inside the quotation marks.

On the other hand, British English often follows a different rule, where the full stop is placed after the quotation mark if it is part of the quoted material. For example:

> "I will go to the store," she said, which was a surprising decision.

In this case, the full stop is inside the quotation marks because it is part of the quoted material.

Australian English, as mentioned in your reference, tends to follow the British rule where the punctuation mark is placed inside the quotation marks. This is because Australian English is influenced by British English.

It's important to note that while these are general guidelines, there are exceptions and specific cases where the rules can be bent or where style guides may differ. For instance, some style guides may require different placements of punctuation for different types of punctuation marks or in different contexts.

When writing, it's crucial to be consistent with the style guide you are following. If you are submitting work to a publication, it's always a good idea to check their specific guidelines. If you are writing for an academic audience, the style guide recommended by your institution or field of study should be followed.

In summary, the placement of full stops relative to quotation marks is determined by the rules of the specific style guide you are using. American English typically places full stops before closing quotation marks when they are part of the overall sentence, while British and Australian English often place full stops after the quotation marks when they are part of the quoted material.

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In American English, the punctuation mark (i.e., the full stop or comma) always comes before the closing quotation mark. ... Therefore, in Australian English, the punctuation mark is placed inside the quotation marks. In all other instances, the punctuation mark is placed outside the quotation marks.Apr 2, 2012read more >>