Punctuating Direct Speech

WALT: Distinguish between direct and reported speech.

Use inverted commas to accurately punctuate direct
speech.
Direct vs. Reported Speech
 Direct vs. Reported Speech
●There are two types of speech: direct and reported.

Direct speech Reported/Indirect speech

Reports a summary of what a
person has said – has the
Quotes the exact words which
same meaning but doesn’t
have been spoken.
necessarily use the same
words .
Usually in the present tense. In the past tense.
Inverted commas are placed
Doesn’t use speech marks.
around what the speaker says.
 Direct vs. Reported Speech
Decide whether each sentence is direct or reported speech.

Direct /
Sentence
Reported
Dad told me he was tired. Reported
Josh explained that he supported Chelsea. Reported
“I wish I could come too!” replied Jess Direct
“Umm...” Ella pondered thoughtfully, “I think
blueberries are probably my favourite fruit.” Direct
Mr Turner described the terrifying sight of a
wooden ship with black sails attacking the Reported
harbour.
 Direct vs. Reported Speech
●It is easy to convert between direct and reported
speech.
●For example:
Direct speech Reported speech
“If I had to pick just one, I’d Noah told me his favourite
say blue is my favourite colour was blue.
colour,” said Noah.
“Are you busy tonight?” Jess asked if I was busy that
asked Jess. night.
 Direct vs. Reported Speech
●Reported speech is a simple, but effective, way of
moving stories on.
●For example, instead of having a main character retell
a whole series of events (which can take pages of
dialogue!) you can simply write that they explained
what had happened.
Inverted Commas
 Inverted Commas
●Inverted commas are also known as speech marks.
●They are used to show when someone is speaking.
●Although it may look complicated, by following just a
few simple rules you can become an expert at
punctuating direct speech.
 Rules for Punctuating Direct Speech
1. Place “ ” around the words which are spoken.
2. Use a capital letter at the start of a speech sentence (even
if it is in the middle of another sentence).
3. Before you close your inverted commas use a comma,
question mark or exclamation mark to separate what was
said from the speaker.
4. If a new person speaks, start a new line.
For example:
“Should we tell the
humans we can speak
English?” asked Stuart.

Kevin replied,
“No, definitely
not.”

The punctuation
‘No’ is capitalised placed before
because it is the closing the
start of the speech inverted commas
sentence. is a ? as Stuart
asked a question.
 For example:
“You’ll win then,”
murmured Emery,
“you’re much faster
“I’ll race you
than I am.”
there!” said Isla.
‘you’re’
doesn’t need
Despite coming a capital
after an ! , said is letter
not capitalised. because it is
not the start
of the speech
sentence.
 Punctuating Direct Speech
Can you punctuate the speech in these sentences correctly?
●What time are we going out asked Zoe

●Yasmin shouted look out

●Besides said Sam thoughtfully what was she doing

there anyway

Remember: Put inverted commas around what the speaker says, start each speech sentence with a
capital letter and place a piece of punctuation before closing your inverted commas.
 Punctuating Direct Speech
Can you punctuate the speech in these sentences correctly?
●What time are we going out asked Zoe.
“What time are we going out?” asked Zoe.
●Yasmin shouted look out
Yasmin shouted, “Look out!”
●Besides said Sam thoughtfully what was she doing
there anyway
“Besides,” said Sam thoughtfully, “what was she
doing there anyway?”
Remember: Put inverted commas around what the speaker says, start each speech sentence with a
capital letter and place a piece of punctuation before closing your inverted commas.
 Punctuating Direct Speech
Can you rewrite this section of text using the correct
punctuation?

did you eat the last doughnut Hannah asked her little brother. no I
had carrot sticks for my snack replied Zac innocently. then where
questioned Hannah did the sugar all around your mouth come
from. smiling mischievously, Zac responded I’m not sure, but it
definitely wasn’t from your doughnut
 Punctuating Direct Speech
Can you rewrite this section of text using the correct
punctuation?

“Did you eat the last doughnut?” Hannah asked her little brother.

“No, I had carrot sticks for my snack,” replied Zac innocently.

“Then where,” questioned Hannah, “did the sugar all around your
mouth come from?”

Smiling mischievously, Zac responded, “I’m not sure, but it

definitely wasn’t from your doughnut!”
Remember: New speaker, new line.
Synonyms for Said
 Synonyms for Said
●Repeatedly using the word ‘said’ after every speech
sentence is a quick way of making your writing very
boring for others to read.
●Keep a thesaurus handy and refer to it when writing
dialogue to keep your writing interesting.
Quiz
 Which is correct?

“Can I have lemonade to drink?” Asked Vivian.

“Can I have lemonade to drink?” asked Vivian.

“Can I have lemonade to drink,” asked Vivian.

 Which is correct?

“Can I have lemonade to drink?” Asked Vivian.

“Can I have lemonade to drink?” asked Vivian.

“Can I have lemonade to drink,” asked Vivian.

 Which is correct?

Flynn replied, “He said he was going to the park”.

Flynn replied, “he said he was going to the park.”

Flynn replied, “He said he was going to the park.”

 Which is correct?

Flynn replied, “He said he was going to the park”.

Flynn replied, “he said he was going to the park.”

Flynn replied, “He said he was going to the park.”

 Which is correct?

“I think” said mum, “that we’ll go to the zoo today”

“I think,” said mum, “That we’ll go to the zoo

today.”
“I think,” said mum, “that we’ll go to the zoo
today.”
 Which is correct?

“I think” said mum, “that we’ll go to the zoo today”

“I think,” said mum, “That we’ll go to the zoo

today.”
“I think,” said mum, “that we’ll go to the zoo
today.”
 Which is correct?

“I love vanilla ice cream” exclaimed Zara excitedly.

“I love vanilla ice cream!” exclaimed Zara excitedly.

“I love vanilla ice cream!” Exclaimed Zara excitedly.

 Which is correct?

“I love vanilla ice cream” exclaimed Zara excitedly.

“I love vanilla ice cream!” exclaimed Zara excitedly.

“I love vanilla ice cream!” Exclaimed Zara excitedly.

 Which is correct?

“I’m really sorry ,” said Oscar sadly, “but I can’t

come tomorrow.”

“I’m really sorry ,” said Oscar sadly, “But I can’t

come tomorrow.”

“I’m really sorry ” said Oscar sadly, “but I can’t

come tomorrow.”
 Which is correct?

“I’m really sorry ,” said Oscar sadly, “but I can’t

come tomorrow.”

“I’m really sorry ,” said Oscar sadly, “But I can’t

come tomorrow.”

“I’m really sorry ” said Oscar sadly, “but I can’t

come tomorrow.”