Quotation Marks
There are two places where quotation marks are needed when writing
direct speech:
“What’s the matter, Dina?” said Sid.
Direct Speech Direct Speech
Marks Marks
You need to open your direct You need to close your direct
speech marks with a “ (66) speech marks with a ” (99)
before the first word which is after the last word which is
being spoken. being spoken.
Imagine that direct speech marks are like hands;
they hold within them only the words which are being spoken.
“What’s the matter, Dina?” said Sid.
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Punctuation
There are two places where other forms of punctuation are needed when
writing direct speech:
“What’s the matter, Dina?” said Sid.
You need to end the speaking with You will need to
• a comma finish your sentence
• a question mark, if it is a question with a full stop after
• an exclamation mark, if it is an exclamation the identifier.
Examples of other punctuation in direct speech are:
“How exciting it is!” exclaimed Sarah.
“I don’t know what to do,” said Sayeed.
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Identifier
After the speech itself, an identifier gives a little bit of information about
who is speaking and how it was said.
“What’s the matter, Dina?” said Sid.
Identifier In this case, Sid is speaking.
If Sid said it in a different way,
you could change “said” to...
“What’s the matter, “What’s the matter, “What’s the matter, “What’s the matter,
Dina?” asked Sid. Dina?” whispered Sid. Dina?” uttered Sid. Dina?” shouted Sid.
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It’s Your Turn…
Here is a conversation between Anna and her son, Sam. Write the
direct speech on a whiteboard using quotation marks and the
correct punctuation.
Sam, can you come and
help me send an email?
Anna
It’s Your Turn…
Here is a conversation between Mr. Miller and Max. Write the direct speech
on a whiteboard using quotation marks and the correct punctuation.
Where more than one person is talking, remember to start new line for
each new speaker.
Mr. Miller Please could you take those
to Jessica’s classroom?
Max
No problem, sir.
It’s Your Turn…
Here is a conversation between three friends. Write the direct speech on a
whiteboard using quotation marks and the correct punctuation.
Remember: new speaker, new line!
What are your I don’t really have any.
plans for tonight?
Do you want to go
out to dinner?
Lisa Janine Alex
Example Answers
How did you do? Did you remember the quotation marks, punctuation, and
reporting clause?
“Sam, can you come and
help me send an email?”
shouted Anna.
“What are your plans for
tonight?” asked Lisa.
“I don’t really have any,” “Please could you take those
replied Janine. to Jessica’s classroom?” asked
"Do you want to go out to Mr. Miller.
dinner?" said Alex. “No problem, sir,” replied Max.
It does not matter if you used said, asked, exclaimed or any other reporting verb –
just don’t forget to mix it up a bit in your work. The same reporting verb too many
times can get boring.
Correctly Punctuate the Speech
Below are all examples of incorrectly punctuated speech.
Tell your partner why they are incorrect and correct them on
your whiteboard.
You need to get off the bus here” said the driver.
Stop annoying me! shouted Sophie.
“Who goes there” grumbled the troll.
“What a beautiful day it is! rejoiced Sheila.”
“That’s all the money I have, explained Frank.
Correctly Punctuate the Speech
Were you able to correct the sentences?
“You need to get off the bus here,” said the driver.
“Stop annoying me!” shouted Sophie.
“Who goes there?” grumbled the troll.
“What a beautiful day it is!” rejoiced Sheila.
“That’s all the money I have,” explained Frank.
