Using direct speech

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Using direct speech

• G. Thomas

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Observe the following sentences
Indirect speech

• I told the thief to drop the bag.
• Drop the bag, you ole tief! I shouted.
• Which one sounds more interesting?

Direct speech
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Direct speech the actual words spoken by
someone.
That party was great!
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Indirect speech someones reported speech

• John said that the party was great.
• Reported speech is fine if you are writing a
  report.
• But for a story, reported speech is boring!

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Direct speech works much better for stories
because

• It adds life to the story
• It gives the characters a voice, which makes them
  more real for your reader.

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Punctuating your conversations

• Always enclose your speakers words in quotation
  marks.
• I want to go home, John said.

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• 2. Use a comma to separate the speaker from his
  words.
• I want to go home, John said.

,
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Unless...

• The person is asking a question
• Do you want to go home? Mrs. Roberts asked.
• ...or is shouting
• I want to go home! John screamed.

?
!
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Finally...

• Remember that all punctuation marks (full stops,
  commas, exclamation marks, question marks) go
  INSIDE the quotation marks.

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Its your turn to punctuate some direct speech!
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Put in the appropriate punctuatio marks

• What do you mean hes not here she demanded
• Its time to go now Mummy said
• I love the way this looks on me Maria said with
  delight
• Hi Im Jamie whats your name