Comma and capitalization

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Anonymous  #568913  Mon, 22 Sep 08 02:09 AM
Hi,
1. How can I decide if a comma is needed in a situation like this? I think I normally use a comma in this type of structure:

I asked, "What will he do for me?"

But this? I feel the content in quotes acts as a noun, answering what I will be asked. 

Some day you will be asking, "What will he do for me"?  

2. The following is a question in a list of questions asked to students about the newspaper he or she read. 
Do you see a need for capitalization? If you do, why?

What is the name of the Newspaper?
  
Grammar Geek  #568916  Mon, 22 Sep 08 02:16 AM

1. If the quoted material is an exact quote, then keep the capital letter to start it. However, in your example, the ? belongs inside the quotation marks. The ? goes with the question.

2. No, this should not be capitalized. It's a common noun.

EDIT: Oops - I somehow missed that it was about commas, not capitals. Sorry, and thanks Philip for not being as blind as I was!

  
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Philip  #568917  Mon, 22 Sep 08 02:17 AM
1)  In the first, you need the comma.  In the second, I think the comma is preferable, but optional.

2)  No capitalization, as you have not named the newspaper.

  
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Anonymous  #569032  Mon, 22 Sep 08 11:48 AM
Thank you, GG and Philip, for your help.
  
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