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Direct Speech Punctuation

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Ana Djordjevic
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15 views11 pages

Direct Speech Punctuation

Uploaded by

Ana Djordjevic
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Punctuating Speech

Punctuating Speech – direct speech & reporting clauses


Speech bubbles can show us what a character is saying.

What shall I bring The words that are spoken are called direct speech.
you for tea
today? “What shall I bring you for tea today?” asked Tom.

Bubbles would take up too much room in a story so we use speech marks instead.
Speech marks work in pairs to hug the direct speech.
We report who is speaking using a reporting clause. Speech marks are
also called inverted
commas.
Punctuating Speech – direct speech & reporting clauses
EXAMPLE
Freya “Can I be your friend, Eliza?” said Freya.
“I would love that!” replied Eliza.

Can I be your
friend, Eliza?
I would love that!

Write this conversation as punctuated speech.


Remember to hug the direct speech with speech marks
and add reporting clauses.
Eliza
Punctuating Speech – capital letters open direct speech
Direct speech begins with a capital letter, even if it is in the middle of a sentence.

Freya pleaded, “Help me to find my mirror.”


Eliza reassured, “We will find it.”

It is the beginning of the speaker’s sentence so a capital letter is used.


Punctuating Speech – interrupted direct speech
Direct speech begins with a capital letter, even if it is in the middle of a sentence.

One exception - If the speech sentence is interrupted by a reporting clause,


the speech sentence continues with a lowercase word.

“Certainly, it’s something to do with the new girl,” the families complained.
“Certainly,” the families complained, “it’s something to do with the new girl.”

lowercase
Punctuating Speech – commas separate clauses
Direct speech and reporting clauses are usually separated by a comma.

“She has gone now,” said Eliza. She looked disappointed.

Tom sighed, “What shall I bring today, my brave Little


Dolphin?”

The comma is placed at the end of the first clause.


If it is after the direct speech,
the comma is placed inside the speech marks.
Punctuating Speech – exclamations and questions
If the speech ends in a ! or ? we do not need a comma after the speech.
“Shall I stop doing the tail now?” asked Oliver.
“I’ve got loads of seaweed!” shouted Lissie.

The punctuation is placed inside the speech marks.


The reporting clause still starts with a lower-case letter.
Punctuating Speech – a new line shows a change of speaker
Kaya asked, “Why have you put that shell there?” “I wanted her It’s hard to see who
is speaking when the
to hold it,” Eliza replied. “It’s important.” “She looks good now,” dialogue is squashed
said Kaya. “Just like a real mermaid!” “She does,” agreed Eliza. together.

“She looks happy to be free.”

Kaya asked, “Why have you put that shell there?”

“I wanted her to hold it,” Eliza replied. “It’s important.”


“She looks good now,” said Kaya. “Just like a real mermaid!”
We show each
change of speaker by
“She does,” agreed Eliza. “She looks happy to be free.” starting a new line.
Punctuating Speech – Identifying mistakes.
“I think I saw her in the water!” gasped Eliza.
“I think I saw her in the water!” gasped Eliza.

Tom nodded, “maybe you did.”


Can you spot
Tom nodded, “Maybe you did.” the 5 mistakes?
“It could have been my reflection”, admitted Eliza.
“It could have been my reflection,” admitted Eliza.

ANSWERS

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