Quotation marks are supposed to represent exact language. They are used to show what someone else has said.

1. People are overusing them when they are not necessary. This is from a sign in a restroom on Rt. 460. Was the sign maker quoting his/her boss?
    "Please wash hands before leaving restroom."
                "Thank you! The Management"

2. I have a relative who always puts the person's name in quotation marks when she sends a card or letter. It always makes me giggle. It looks like my name is a direct quote or an alias.

3. Always proofread to make sure that you have a closing quotation mark for each quotation in your document.

4. In the American style, periods and commas always go before the closing quotation mark.

And people who use air quotations make me giggle. Why stop at quotation marks? We should make question marks and exclamation points hand gestures too. 

Happy proofreading and happy Friday! Get out and enjoy spring!