Final answer:
The correct punctuation for the sentence 'The Reynolds' car has a flat tire, Sal Reynolds told me.' is to ensure the direct speech is set off by a comma. This maintains the separation of the two parts of the sentence, providing clarity to the reader.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ensuring correct punctuation in writing promotes clarity and readability in a sentence. For the sentence provided, the correct punctuation would involve a comma to separate the independent clause and the direct speech part of the sentence. Here is the correct punctuation: The Reynolds' car has a flat tire, Sal Reynolds told me.
In terms of punctuation and structure, direct speech should be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma. If you're using a tag like 'Sal Reynolds told me,' the comma comes before the closing quotation mark if the sentence continues after the quote.
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