reporting clause first
reported clause
reporting clause second
The reporting clause may sometimes come in the middle of the reported clause, especially in literary styles:
“No,” she said , “I’ve never seen it before.”
‘Was it,’ he asked , ‘the first time you had spoken to Mrs Dalton?’
We can use adverbs with the reporting verb to describe the way someone said something. This is more common when the reporting clause comes second:
“I will not accept it!” he said angrily .
‘Can I speak to the doctor?’ she asked rather nervously .
Reported speech: punctuation
Reported speech: reporting and reported clauses
In narratives, especially novels and short stories, when the reporting clause comes second, we often invert the subject (s) and reporting verb (v):
“Things have always been the same in this village,” [V] said [S] the old man .
‘Hold on! I’m coming!’ [V] cried [S] Maurice .
Informal narratives.
In informal conversation, we sometimes use the present simple in the reporting clause. This makes the direct speech more vivid and dramatic:
So then this guy says , “I’ve got something for you. Come over here.” And he picked up a box and he says , “Open that.”
We can make the direct speech even more vivid and dramatic by using the present continuous. This is very informal:
And he’s looking at me and he ’s asking , “Who are you?” and I said, “I’m your nephew” and he ’s mumbling , “I don’t know you. I’ve never seen you before in my life.”
In very informal conversation, people sometimes use says as a reporting verb for all persons ( I, you, she, he, we, they ):
She says , ‘What’s going on here?’ and I says , ‘Nothing. There’s nothing happening – everything’s okay.’
Many speakers consider the above examples to be incorrect. This applies especially to the use of says with all persons.
We also use the present simple in newspaper headlines. This makes the reported words more dramatic:
‘I WON’T RESIGN,’ SAYS MINISTER
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In this tutorial learners are going to learn English writing lesson about direct speech.
So, if we want to write what is happening here, then this is how we write.
Direct speech is when we report the exact words that somebody says.
The correct punctuation.
Vocabulary to report direct speech.
And finally, at the end of the lesson there are some exercises for practice.
Reporting clause before the direct speech
We write a comma (,) before the direct speech.
We write a full stop (.) before the closing inverted commas .
We write a question mark ( ? ) before the closing inverted commas .
If the reporting clause is after the direct speech:
We write a comma (,) before the closing inverted commas .
If the reporting clause is after the question or exclamation .
We write a question mark ( ? ) before the closing inverted commas .
Advanced rule
The second part of the direct speech starts with a capital letter if it is a new sentence.
Quotation marks
Here are some other useful reporting verbs.
reply (replied) ask (asked) comment (commented)
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Direct speech is a crucial aspect of the English language that every speaker of the language must understand. In this reference, we will explore everything you need to know about direct speech, including its definition, examples, punctuation rules, and common mistakes.
Direct speech is a type of speech that involves the exact words spoken by a person or character. It is also known as quoted speech or speech marks. Direct speech is used to convey a message or conversation directly from the speaker to the listener.
For example, " I am going to the market, " said John. In this sentence, the exact words spoken by John are quoted, and the sentence is enclosed by speech marks.
Direct speech is different from indirect speech in that it directly quotes the exact words of the speaker.
Indirect speech involves paraphrasing or reporting the speaker's words. For example, " John said that he was going to the market. " In this sentence, the speaker's words are not quoted directly, but rather reported indirectly.
Direct speech can be identified in a sentence by the use of speech marks or quotation marks.
For example, " I am going to the market, " said John. In this sentence, the words spoken by John are enclosed by speech marks.
Other examples of direct speech include " I love you, " said Mary, and " Can you help me? " asked Mark.
Direct speech follows specific punctuation rules that must be observed to convey the correct meaning of the sentence.
The first word of the direct speech sentence is capitalized, and the sentence is enclosed by speech marks. If the direct speech sentence ends with a full stop, exclamation mark, or question mark, the punctuation mark is placed inside the speech marks.
For example, " What is your name? " asked Tom. If the direct speech is followed by a reporting clause, the reporting clause is separated from the direct speech by a comma. For example, " I am going to the market, " said John.
Direct speech can be used in different tenses to convey different meanings.
The tense used in direct speech depends on the tense of the original words spoken.
Direct speech and reported speech are similar in that they both convey a message or conversation. However, the main difference between them is that direct speech directly quotes the speaker's exact words, while reported speech paraphrases or reports the speaker's words.
Let's take a look at what to avoid:
Direct speech helps us to directly quote the words spoken by a speaker. Use the correct punctuation rules for direct speech, and make sure that the first word of the direct speech sentence is capitalized. Soon, you'll effortlessly use it in your own English speech without even thinking.
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Direct speech is a way of reporting the exact words spoken by someone, allowing the speaker’s original phrasing and expression to be conveyed. In writing, direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks to indicate that the words are being quoted directly. For example, if someone says, "I am going to the park," and you want to report it exactly as it was said, you would use direct speech.
The key characteristic of direct speech is that it faithfully reproduces the speaker's words, preserving the original tone , intention, and style. Direct speech is commonly used in dialogue, interviews, and narratives to create a vivid and accurate depiction of conversations.
Indirect speech , also known as reported speech , is a way of telling someone what another person said without using their exact words. Instead of quoting the speaker directly, you describe what was said in your own words.
For example, if someone says, "I am going to the store," in indirect speech, you might report it as "He said he was going to the store."
In indirect speech, the tense of the verbs often changes, and pronouns are adjusted to fit the context of the sentence. This form of speech is commonly used in everyday conversation, writing, and reporting to convey information without repeating someone's exact words.
Interesting Facts About Direct Speech |
1. "I will be late to the meeting," Sarah said.
Sarah directly communicates her intention of being late to the meeting.
2. "Can you help me with this project?" asked John.
John directly asks for assistance with the project.
3. "I love reading books," remarked Emily.
Emily directly expresses her love for reading books.
4. "Please turn off the lights before you leave," the teacher instructed.
The teacher directly instructs them to turn off the lights.
5. "It's going to rain today," predicted the weather report.
The weather report directly states the prediction about the weather.
Direct Speech: "I am going to the park."
Indirect Speech: He said that he was going to the park.
Direct Speech: "She will call you tomorrow."
Indirect Speech: She said that she would call me the next day.
Direct Speech: "We have finished our homework."
Indirect Speech: They said that they had finished their homework.
Direct Speech: "Can you help me with this?"
Indirect Speech: She asked if I could help her with that.
Direct Speech: "I saw a movie yesterday."
Indirect Speech: He said that he had seen a movie the day before.
Direct Speech: "Don't talk during the class."
Indirect Speech: The teacher told us not to talk during the class.
Direct Speech: "I need some more time to decide."
Indirect Speech: She mentioned that she needed some more time to decide.
Direct Speech: "Are you coming to the party?"
Indirect Speech: He asked if I was coming to the party.
Direct Speech: "I will be there at 5 PM."
Indirect Speech: She said that she would be there at 5 PM.
Direct Speech: "We must leave now."
Indirect Speech: They said that they had to leave immediately.
Direct speech formula:.
[Subject] + [Reporting Verb] + , + " + [Speaker's Exact Words] + "
She said, "I am going to the market."
[Subject] + [Reporting Verb] + that + [Subject Pronoun Change] + [Verb Tense Change] + [Rest of the Sentence]
She said that she was going to the market.
1. Use Quotation Marks : Place the exact words of the speaker within quotation marks.
Example : She said, "I will join you for dinner."
2. Capitalise the First Word : The first word of the quoted speech should be capitalised.
Example : "We will leave early," he said.
3. Punctuation Inside Quotation Marks : Commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation points should be placed inside the quotation marks if they are part of the quoted speech.
Example : "Can you help me?" she asked.
4. End with a Comma : When a quote is followed by a dialogue tag (e.g., he said, she asked), end the quote with a comma before the closing quotation mark.
Example : "I’m going to the store," he said.
5. Start a New Paragraph for a New Speaker : Begin a new paragraph each time the speaker changes.
"I am not sure if I can come," said Jane.
"Don’t worry," replied Mark. "We can figure something out."
6. Use Single Quotation Marks for Quotes within Quotes : If there is a quote within the direct speech, use single quotation marks for the inner quote.
Example : "He said, ‘I will be there on time,’ but I was not convinced."
7. Correct Placement of Punctuation Marks : If the quoted speech ends with a question mark or exclamation point , it should be placed inside the quotation marks. If it ends with a comma, place the comma inside the quotation marks.
Example : "Are you coming?" she asked. "Wow! That’s amazing," he replied.
Understanding how to convert direct speech into indirect speech requires following specific rules. These rules help ensure that the meaning of the original statement is accurately conveyed, even though the exact words are not used. Here are the key rules for converting direct speech to indirect speech:
Change in Tense:
If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the verbs in the direct speech usually changes.
Direct: "I am hungry."
Indirect: She said that she was hungry.
Pronoun Changes :
Pronouns are adjusted to match the perspective of the speaker and the listener in the reported speech.
Direct: "I will help you."
Indirect: He said that he would help me.
Time and Place Changes :
Words that refer to time and place often change to reflect the timing of the reporting.
Direct: "I’ll see you tomorrow."
Indirect: He said that he would see me the next day.
Direct: "She is here."
Indirect: He said that she was there.
Reporting Verbs :
The reporting verb (like "said," "told," "asked") often changes depending on the type of sentence (statement, question, command).
Statements: "She said that..."
Questions: "He asked if..."
Commands: "They told me to..."
No Quotation Marks :
Quotation marks are removed when converting from direct to indirect speech.
Direct: "I love reading," she said.
Indirect: She said that she loved reading.
Question Forms :
When reporting questions, the word order typically changes from question format to statement format.
Direct: "Where are you going?"
Indirect: She asked where I was going.
Commands and Requests :
When reporting commands or requests, the verb is usually changed to an infinitive form.
Direct: "Please close the door."
Indirect: He asked me to close the door.
Modals Change :
Modal verbs may change in indirect speech.
"Can" becomes "could"
"Will" becomes "would"
"May" becomes "might"
No Backshift with Universal Truths :
When reporting universal truths or facts, the tense of the verb often remains unchanged.
Direct: "The sun rises in the east."
Indirect: He said that the sun rises in the east.
Conditional Sentences :
Conditional sentences in direct speech often follow the same tense in indirect speech.
Direct: "If it rains, we will cancel the trip."
Indirect: He said that if it rained, they would cancel the trip.
1. Change Pronouns : Adjust pronouns to match the perspective of the reporting sentence.
Direct Speech : "I am going to the store," he said.
Indirect Speech : He said that he was going to the store.
2. Change Tense : Generally, shift the tense back one step in time. For example, present tense becomes past tense, present perfect becomes past perfect, etc.
Direct Speech : "I am reading a book," she said.
Indirect Speech : She said that she was reading a book.
3. Use ‘That’ to Introduce the Reported Speech : Often, ‘that’ is used to introduce the reported speech, though it can be omitted in informal contexts.
Direct Speech : "I will finish my homework," he said.
Indirect Speech : He said that he would finish his homework.
4. Adjust Time References : Modify time expressions to reflect the change in context.
Direct Speech : "I will see you tomorrow," she said.
Indirect Speech : She said that she would see me the next day.
5. Maintain the Same Meaning : Ensure the meaning of the speech remains the same even though the wording and structure change.
Direct Speech : "It is raining heavily," she said.
Indirect Speech : She said that it was raining heavily.
6. Change Questions to Statements : Convert questions into statements and use appropriate reporting verbs like ‘ask’ or ‘inquire’.
Direct Speech : "Are you coming to the party?" he asked.
Indirect Speech : He asked if I was coming to the party.
7. Change Imperatives to Infinitives : Commands or requests should be reported with the infinitive form of the verb.
Direct Speech : "Close the door," she said.
Indirect Speech : She told me to close the door.
8. Remove Quotation Marks : In indirect speech, quotation marks are not used since the speech is integrated into the reporting sentence.
9. Adapt Adverbs of Frequency and Place : Adjust adverbs according to the context of the reporting sentence.
Direct Speech : "I always go to the gym," he said.
Indirect Speech : He said that he always went to the gym.
When using direct speech in writing or speaking, it’s important to follow specific rules to ensure clarity and accuracy. Direct speech involves quoting the exact words of a speaker, often enclosed in quotation marks. Here are the key rules for direct speech narration:
Use Quotation Marks :
Always enclose the speaker’s exact words within quotation marks.
Example : She said, "I am going to the market."
Punctuation Inside Quotation Marks :
Place punctuation marks (like commas, periods, and question marks) inside the quotation marks.
Example : "Are you coming with me?" she asked.
Capitalise the First Word :
The first word of the quoted speech should always be capitalised, even if it appears in the middle of a sentence.
Example : He replied, "Yes, I will be there."
Reporting Clause Position :
The reporting clause (e.g., "he said," "she asked") can be placed before, after, or in the middle of the direct speech.
Before: He said, "I will help you."
After: "I will help you," he said.
Middle: "I will," he said, "help you."
Use of Comma Before Quotation :
A comma usually separates the reporting clause from the direct speech when the reporting clause comes before or after the speech.
Before: She said, "We need to leave now."
After: "We need to leave now," she said.
New Paragraph for Each Speaker :
Start a new paragraph each time a different person speaks to avoid confusion and improve readability.
"What time is it?" John asked.
"It's almost noon," replied Sarah.
No Comma in Questions or Exclamations :
When the direct speech is a question or exclamation, do not use a comma before the closing quotation marks; use the appropriate punctuation instead.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Wow!" he exclaimed.
Indirect vs. Direct Speech :
Direct speech repeats the exact words of the speaker, whereas indirect speech paraphrases the words without quotation marks.
Direct: He said, "I am tired."
Indirect: He said that he was tired.
Quotes Within Quotes :
If quoting someone who is quoting another person, use single quotation marks inside double quotation marks.
Example : "Did you hear him say, 'I’m not interested'?" she asked.
Avoid Overusing Direct Speech :
While direct speech can add realism and emphasis, overusing it can make writing cluttered. Balance it with narrative to maintain a smooth flow.
Aspect | Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
Definition | Quoting the exact words of the speaker. | Paraphrasing or reporting the speaker's words. |
Quotation Marks | Use quotation marks to enclose the speaker's words. | Do not use quotation marks. |
Pronouns | Pronouns remain the same as used by the speaker. | Pronouns are changed to suit the perspective of the narrator. |
Verb Tense | Usually retains the original tense spoken. | Often changes the tense to reflect the shift in time. |
Example | He said, "I am tired." | He said that he was tired. |
Punctuation | Punctuation like commas, periods, question marks, etc., are placed inside the quotation marks. | Punctuation is adjusted to fit the new sentence structure. |
Reporting Verbs | Common verbs: said, asked, exclaimed, etc. | Common verbs: said, told, asked, inquired, etc. |
Structure | Typically follows the pattern: [Speaker] + [Verb] + “[Exact Words]” | Follows the pattern: [Speaker] + [Verb] + [that] + [Paraphrased Words] |
Example of a Question | He asked, "Are you coming?" | He asked if I was coming. |
Contextual Adjustments | No adjustment to time or place references. | Time and place references are often adjusted (e.g., "today" becomes "that day"). |
1. Convert the following direct speech into indirect speech:
Direct Speech : "I will call you when I arrive," she said.
2. Rewrite the following indirect speech into direct speech:
Indirect Speech : He asked if I had completed the assignment.
3. Change the following direct speech to indirect speech:
Direct Speech : "Why are you late?" the teacher asked.
4. Transform the following indirect speech into direct speech:
Indirect Speech : She told me that she was going to visit her grandmother.
5. Convert the following direct speech into indirect speech:
Direct Speech : "Please help me with my homework," the student said.
6. Rewrite the following indirect speech into direct speech:
Indirect Speech : They inquired if we had seen the new movie.
7. Change the following direct speech to indirect speech:
Direct Speech : "I am not feeling well," John said.
8. Transform the following indirect speech into direct speech:
Indirect Speech : She asked if I could join her for lunch.
9. Convert the following direct speech into indirect speech:
Direct Speech : "Do you want to go for a walk?" she asked.
10. Rewrite the following indirect speech into direct speech:
Indirect Speech : The manager said that the meeting would be rescheduled for next week.
Indirect Speech: She said that she would call me when she arrived.
Direct Speech: He asked, "Have you completed the assignment?"
Direct Speech: "Why are you late?" the teacher asked.
Direct Speech: She said, "I am going to visit my grandmother."
Indirect Speech: The student requested to be helped with his homework.
Direct Speech: They asked, "Have you seen the new movie?"
Indirect Speech: John said that he was not feeling well.
Direct Speech: She asked, "Can you join me for lunch?"
Indirect Speech: She asked if I wanted to go for a walk.
Direct Speech: The manager said, "The meeting will be rescheduled for next week."
Direct speech involves quoting the exact words spoken by someone, typically enclosed in quotation marks. It captures the speaker's precise wording and is often used to convey conversations or statements directly.
When converting direct speech to indirect speech, the exact words are paraphrased and typically reported in a way that reflects the original meaning without using quotation marks. This usually involves changing pronouns and verb tenses to fit the context.
In direct speech, the quoted speech is placed within quotation marks. Punctuation marks like commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation points are placed inside the quotation marks if they are part of the quoted material.
Common reporting verbs in direct speech include "said," "asked," "replied," and "exclaimed." These verbs help attribute the quoted speech to the speaker and often precede or follow the quoted text.
Direct speech can be integrated into a narrative by using reporting verbs and appropriate punctuation to indicate the shift between the speaker's words and the narrative context.
1. What is Direct Speech?
Direct speech involves quoting the exact words spoken by a person, enclosed in quotation marks. For example, "I’m seeing my brother tomorrow," she said.
2. What is Indirect Speech?
Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, involves paraphrasing what someone has said without using their exact words. The tense usually shifts to the past. For example, She said that she was seeing her brother the following day.
3. How do you convert Direct Speech to Indirect Speech?
To convert direct speech to indirect speech, remove the quotation marks, change the tense to the past, and adjust pronouns and time expressions as needed. For example, "I like chocolates," becomes She said that she liked chocolates.
4. What are the basic rules for converting Direct Speech to Indirect Speech?
The rules include shifting the tense back one step, changing pronouns to match the new perspective, using 'that' as a conjunction, and adjusting time expressions (e.g., "now" becomes "then").
5. What are some examples of Direct Speech?
Examples of direct speech include:
Nirmal said, "There’s a dog outside the window."
Supriya said, "I don’t know!"
"I play basketball," he said.
6. What are some examples of Indirect Speech?
Examples of indirect speech include:
She said that she liked chocolates.
He said that he played basketball every day.
She told me that she had finished her task.
7. How does tense change when converting Direct Speech to Indirect Speech?
When converting direct speech to indirect speech, present tense changes to past tense, past tense changes to past perfect, and future tense changes to "would" or "would have."
8. What changes occur in pronouns when converting Direct Speech to Indirect Speech?
Pronouns are adjusted to reflect the perspective of the reporting speaker. For example, "I am going," in direct speech becomes "He said that he was going," in indirect speech.
9. What is the purpose of using quotation marks in direct speech?
Quotation marks are used in direct speech to enclose the exact words spoken by a person. They clearly indicate what was said by the speaker and distinguish it from the rest of the narrative.
10. How should punctuation be placed in direct speech?
In direct speech, punctuation marks such as commas, periods, and question marks should be placed inside the quotation marks. For example: "Are you coming with me?" she asked.
11. When should you start a new paragraph in direct speech?
You should start a new paragraph each time a different person speaks. This helps avoid confusion and makes it clear to the reader who is speaking.
With our Direct Speech Punctuation lesson plan, students learn how to properly use commas and quotation marks when including quotations and direct speech in their writing.
Included with this lesson are some adjustments or additions that you can make if you’d like, found in the “Options for Lesson” section of the Classroom Procedure page. One of the optional additions to this lesson is to show a video of a conversation between two people and have students record the direct speech, using the correct punctuation.
Additional information, what our direct speech punctuation lesson plan includes.
Lesson Objectives and Overview: Direct Speech Punctuation teaches students how to properly use commas and quotation marks when writing direct speech or quotations. This lesson is for students in 4th grade.
Every lesson plan provides you with a classroom procedure page that outlines a step-by-step guide to follow. You do not have to follow the guide exactly. The guide helps you organize the lesson and details when to hand out worksheets. It also lists information in the green box that you might find useful. You will find the lesson objectives, state standards, and number of class sessions the lesson should take to complete in this area. In addition, it describes the supplies you will need as well as what and how you need to prepare beforehand. The only supplies needed for this lesson are the handouts, which you can copy ahead of time.
Included with this lesson is an “Options for Lesson” section that lists a number of suggestions for activities to add to the lesson or substitutions for the ones already in the lesson. One optional addition to this lesson is to show a video of a conversation between two people and have students record the direct speech, using the correct punctuation. You can also use a story that includes dialogue as an example of correctly written direct speech.
The teacher notes page includes a paragraph with additional guidelines and things to think about as you begin to plan your lesson. This page also includes lines that you can use to add your own notes as you’re preparing for this lesson.
Direct speech.
The Direct Speech Punctuation lesson plan includes three content pages. The lesson begins by reminding students that, when they speak to other people, the words they say are their own, and the sentences are created by their minds and belong to them. Likewise, when you read a comic book, the speech bubbles indicate the words of a specific character. These are both examples of direct speech.
Direct speech is different from indirect speech, which is when you relay the words of someone else, often not word-for-word. For example, if your mom says to tell your little brother it’s time for dinner, you could relay her words as indirect speech ( Mom told me to tell you we have to go eat ) or direct speech ( Mom said, “It is time for dinner” ). Direct speech means you are relaying the exact words said by another person. When you use indirect speech, there aren’t any special punctuation marks that you need to us.
However, we do have specific punctuation for direct speech, like commas and quotation marks. We use these when we show the direct speech of another person or of a character in a book. We also use them when quoting from a text, like a speech or an article.
While students are familiar with commas and how to use them, they might not have a lot of practice using quotation marks in their writing. We use quotation marks for writing quotes. They look like pairs of upside-down commas. We place them before and after the quote. We also sometimes call them speech marks.
In the example sentence Tom said, “I have decided to stay home from school today.” we put a quotation mark before the first word that he said ( I ) and after the last word that he said ( today ) and the period. We also use a comma after the word said . It’s important to note that we put the second quotation mark after the period or other punctuation, not before.
The lesson includes several other examples that illustrate how to properly use commas and quotation marks for direct speech quotations. Students should review these examples to better understand where and how to use punctuation with quotations. One important rule they will learn is that you need a new paragraph for each speaker change. For example:
Oliver asked, “Where am I?”
Isla quietly answered, “You are at school. Wake up.”
It’s important to remember that we must punctuate the actual words being spoken with quotation marks, placed at the start and end of what’s being said. We can also use commas after the part of the sentence that tells you who is speaking. You can use words other than said to indicate direct speech, like expressed, yelled, slowly said, silently answered , and more.
We also use quotation marks to mark quotations from a text. If you’re writing a report and want to include a sentence or fact from a book you read, you have to use quotation marks when using the exact wording from the book. The lesson includes an example of this.
Using proper punctuation for direct speech and quotations is very important, as it helps readers understand who is speaking and what they said.
The Direct Speech Punctuation lesson plan includes three worksheets: an activity worksheet, a practice worksheet, and a homework assignment. You can refer to the guide on the classroom procedure page to determine when to hand out each worksheet.
Students will work in groups to complete the activity worksheet. To begin, two students in the group will choose a topic and discuss it for two minutes, taking turns speaking. Meanwhile, the other two members will write down as much of their conversation as possible using the space provided on the worksheet, listening carefully. They will then switch places and repeat. After both pairs have discussed a topic and recorded a conversation, they will take the information they’ve written down and correctly write the direct speech on the worksheet without using the word said .
The practice worksheet asks students to complete three exercises. The first asks them to correctly add commas and quotation marks to ten sentences where needed. Next, the second asks them to write a direct speech sentence for each of the given situations. The lesson provides an example for them to work from. Finally, the third asks them to read a paragraph and correctly add quotation marks where needed. They must also answer one final question about the paragraph.
For the homework assignment, students will complete three short exercises. For the first, they will correctly rewrite a paragraph, replacing the word said with a better word. Next, they will read another paragraph and will correctly add quotation marks where needed. Finally, they will think about a conversation they recently had and will correctly write some of it out on the lines provided.
This lesson plan includes answer keys for the practice worksheet and the homework assignment. If you choose to administer the lesson pages to your students via PDF, you will need to save a new file that omits these pages. Otherwise, you can simply print out the applicable pages and keep these as reference for yourself when grading assignments.
grade-level | 4th Grade |
---|---|
subject | Language Arts |
State Educational Standards | LB.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.B Lessons are aligned to meet the education objectives and goals of most states. For more information on your state objectives, contact your local Board of Education or Department of Education in your state. |
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English Basics
In English grammar, sentences are the key part that helps us convey our thoughts and ideas. Without sentences, it would be impossible for us to interact, state, or speak out our thoughts. But sentences can be of different types. Different sentences convey different information in their own unique ways.
Today, we will learn about one such unique sentence structure that works on its own functionality, the direct speech . In general, direct speech can be defined as a sentence where the exact words used by some speaker or writer are used to convey the message. Here, we make a sentence that uses the same words from the original speech that some person, at some point, spoke.
However, there are certain rules that we need to follow while using a direct speech sentence. If you are not aware of them, refer to the explanations below and enlighten yourself with every rule to avoid confusion.
By definition, direct speech is a sentence in which the exact words used or spoken by a speaker is presented. This is a sentence structure in which the words of a person are reproduced in speech marks. This is especially used to make the readers feel engaged or quote something very important.
In simple words, direct speech is the sentence where we see quotation marks or inverted commas containing a certain set of words in the grammatical tense of when it was originally spoken. That means the message that someone at some point has written or spoken is conveyed exactly in the same manner in the present.
This form of sentence structure is used for various different purposes. However, the most common use of direct speech is storytelling or quoting a thought. It makes dialogue presentation easy and helps understand characters more interestingly and engagingly.
If you are still confused, look at the examples below to understand easily:
In the above examples, we can notice that different sets of words are stated inside quotation marks. And those words are evidently not being spoken in a current state. So, direct speech is a sentence where the exact words spoken at some point are written in a new sentence. This is to convey the exact message that the original speaker had conveyed.
Now that we know what direct speech is, it is important to learn how to form and use one correctly. Direct speech is the presentation of the exact words of some person. It may seem easy in that sense. But there are some rules, especially punctuating rules, that we need to be aware of.
Some of the main rules regarding direct speech are;
• In a direct speech sentence, the speech of a particular person should always be between speech marks. That means the speech is opened and closed by speech marks, quotation marks, or inverted commas. For example: “I hate math classes,” said Vicky.
• The next important rule is that each character’s new speech will start on a new line. Also, each line of speech will begin with a capital letter.
• A line of speech usually ends with a comma, question mark, or exclamation mark. Further, if a sentence needs to be broken up for added information, we can use commas or question marks to finish the first part of the speech.
• A reporting clause mostly comes at the end of the sentence. Reporting clause means the phrase that indicates we are referring to the words that someone said or thought. They are the part that goes like: He said, Sarah asked, they screamed , etc. It is usually placed at the end of a sentence. But in some cases, it can also come in the beginning.
• Each reporting clause is ended with a full stop. But that is the case usually when it is mentioned at the end of a sentence. If a reporting clause is used at the beginning of a sentence, we will generally end it with a comma.
These are the general rules that we need to learn in order to form direct speech sentences. Missing any of these points can cause grammatical errors.
There is another form of speech in grammar, the indirect speech. Indirect speech and direct speech are both different types of sentences that convey a message in different ways.
As we learned, direct speech is a sentence where the exact same words spoken by someone are presented. On the other hand, indirect speech is where we rephrase the words of the speaker in a sentence. In indirect speech, only the necessary or important points of someone’s message or speech are reported.
Here, unlike direct speech, we do not write the full speech of the speaker. Instead, we report the necessary content by rephrasing them in our own words.
For example;
Direct speech: “I am bored of school activities,” John screamed. Here, the exact words used by John are conveyed. There is no change or replacement of words.
Indirect speech: Sam said that he wanted to go to the movies.
Here, the words used might not match exactly with the words used by Sam in the original context. However, the main objective is to convey the same message. And in indirect speech, we do that without quoting the person’s speech.
So, this is the basic difference between direct speech and indirect speech. Both the speech types work equally well in different situations. However, when it concerns characters and dialogues, one cannot avoid direct speech to make the sentences more interactive and engaging.
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Direct speech refers to the exact wording of someone's comments or speech as it was spoken. In written text, direct speech usually appears in quotation marks or inverted commas to denote that the words were spoken or written by another person. The actual text of direct speech punctuated with a speech tag, which identifies the speaker and might ...
Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Aug 30, 2021 • 4 min read. Whether you're working on a novel or short story, writing dialogue can be a challenge. If you're concerned about how to punctuate dialogue or how to format your quotation marks, fear not; the rules of dialogue in fiction and nonfiction can be mastered by following a few ...
This is really a continuation of the last rule. When you write your speech declarations, try to make sure the verbs are actually speech verbs, and not just general verbs. If you want to put actions in, put them in as actions and not as speech declarations. 8. Add actions or thoughts into direct speech, using the 'before' or 'after ...
General Rules of Direct Speech. A direct speech should be written in correct composition so that it will be understood right. Here are the steps on how to do so: 1. Place quotation marks. Enclose the actual words of the speaker or writer in a set of quotation marks. They are the primary indications that your speech is in its direct form. Examples:
Differences between Direct and Indirect Speech. Change of Pronouns. Change of Tenses. Change of Time and Place References. Converting Direct Speech Into Indirect Speech. Step 1: Remove the Quotation Marks. Step 2: Use a Reporting Verb and a Linker. Step 3: Change the Tense of the Verb. Step 4: Change the Pronouns.
Punctuating direct speech and quotations correctly is not just about following rules; it's about ensuring your writing is clear, professional, and respectful of the voices you're bringing into ...
Direct speech can be used in various contexts, from everyday conversation to formal writing. Here are some examples: Example 1: Everyday conversation Direct speech: "Hey, how are you doing?" asked John. In this example, John's exact words are being reported using direct speech. Example 2: News article Direct speech: "We are deeply ...
Punctuation in direct speech. We use inverted commas (also called quotation marks, quotes or speech marks) to indicate direct speech. Double quotes (") are preferred in American English, while single quotes (') are more common in British English: "I'm coming home late tonight," she said. (American English)
In direct speech, the exact words spoken by a person are quoted within quotation marks. In indirect speech, the words of the speaker are reported without using their exact words and without using quotation marks. Instead, the reported speech is often introduced by verbs such as "said," "told," "asked," etc. Indirect speech allows us ...
Direct Speech Direct speech shows a person's exact words. Quotation marks ("....") are a sign that the words are the exact words that a person used. Reported Speech Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are usually used. In reported speech, the reader does not assume that the words are the speaker's exact words; often, they are ...
Use a comma to separate quoted speech from the speaker. Examples. "This vacation is boring, " said Lulu. "I knew that, " Maya said. She yelled, "Dragon!". Farley said, "I can't find my shoes.". Such clauses ("Maya said," "she yelled") identify the speaker and are called speech tags. Use commas both before and after a ...
Reported speech: direct speech - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary
This is an English writing lesson about direct speech.Direct speech is when we report the exact words that somebody says.In this lesson I explain the differe...
Direct speech. Direct speech is when we report the exact words that somebody says. In this lesson you will learn: The rules for writing direct speech. The correct punctuation. Vocabulary to report direct speech. And finally, at the end of the lesson there are some exercises for practice. Reporting clause before the direct speech.
It is also known as quoted speech or speech marks. Direct speech is used to convey a message or conversation directly from the speaker to the listener. For example, "I am going to the market," said John. In this sentence, the exact words spoken by John are quoted, and the sentence is enclosed by speech marks.
Definition of Direct Speech. Speech is direct when it is written as it was said and punctuated correctly with inverted commas around the exact original words and is usually accompanied by a reporting clause ('he said', 'they said', 'said Julie'). In fictional narratives, direct speech is used to show dialogue between characters as ...
Key learning points. In this lesson, we will learn about the difference between direct speech and indirect speech and how to punctuate direct speech correctly. This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.
Direct speech is a way of reporting the exact words spoken by someone, allowing the speaker's original phrasing and expression to be conveyed. In writing, direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks to indicate that the words are being quoted directly. For example, if someone says, "I am going to the park," and you want to report it exactly as it was said, you would use direct speech.
Direct Speech. The Direct Speech Punctuation lesson plan includes three content pages. The lesson begins by reminding students that, when they speak to other people, the words they say are their own, and the sentences are created by their minds and belong to them. Likewise, when you read a comic book, the speech bubbles indicate the words of a ...
Direct speech: "I am bored of school activities," John screamed. Here, the exact words used by John are conveyed. There is no change or replacement of words. Indirect speech: Sam said that he wanted to go to the movies. Here, the words used might not match exactly with the words used by Sam in the original context.