Punctuating Direct Speech
Punctuate direct speech using inverted commas (speech marks), understanding that direct speech records the exact words spoken and must be enclosed in punctuation marks
What a learner can do afterwards
- Place inverted commas around the spoken words in a sentence (e.g., "Let's go!" shouted Tom.)
- Write a sentence containing direct speech with correct punctuation including a reporting clause (e.g., Mum said, "Time for bed.")
- Identify direct speech in a text and explain what the inverted commas show
1 · Read
When a character speaks in a story, you can write down their exact words. This is called direct speech, and it always sits inside inverted commas, also known as speech marks: " ". The marks show a reader exactly where the spoken words begin and end.
"Let's go!" shouted Tom. The speech marks wrap only the words Tom actually said. Notice the exclamation mark sits inside the closing mark, because it belongs to what Tom shouted.
Sometimes the reporting clause, the part that tells us who spoke, comes first. Put a comma after it, then open the speech marks with a capital letter, because the spoken words start like a new sentence.
Mum said, "Time for bed." The comma comes after said. The word Time starts with a capital letter, and the full stop for the whole sentence sits inside the closing speech mark.
When a different person starts speaking, give them a new line. Each new speaker gets a fresh line, so the reader can follow the conversation turn by turn.
Any punctuation that belongs to the spoken words, like a full stop, comma, or question mark, goes inside the speech marks, right before they close.
Wrap the exact spoken words in speech marks, and keep their own punctuation tucked inside those marks.
More to read
Punctuating dialogue
When someone talks in a story, we call that dialogue. Dialogue means the exact words a character says out loud.
We put speech marks (" ") around those exact words. We often add a short phrase to tell readers who is talking. This phrase is called a reporting clause, and it has a verb like said or asked.
If the reporting clause comes first, put a comma right after it. Then open the speech marks and start the spoken words with a capital letter.
Example: Mum said, "It is time for bed."
Notice the comma comes right after said, and the word It starts with a capital letter even though it is in the middle of the sentence.
Punctuating dialogue
Sometimes the reporting clause, the bit that says who is talking, comes after the spoken words instead of before.
When you write it this way, put the exact words in speech marks first. Any punctuation that belongs to the spoken sentence, like a comma, question mark, or exclamation mark, goes inside the closing speech mark. Then write who said it.
Example: "Let's go!" shouted Tom.
The exclamation mark stays inside the speech marks because it belongs to what Tom shouted. Then shouted Tom tells us who spoke.
How to Format Dialogue in a Story
Every time a new character starts talking, start a new line. This helps readers know when one person stops speaking and another begins.
Always put speech marks around the exact words a character says. Any punctuation that belongs to those spoken words, like a full stop, comma, question mark, or exclamation mark, goes inside the closing speech mark, not outside.
Start the spoken words with a capital letter, even if a reporting clause like she said comes right before it.
Example: Tom said, "Let's go!" "Wait for me!" cried Sam.
4 Ways to Use Quotation Marks
Quotation marks come in pairs: one to open and one to close. We also call them speech marks or inverted commas.
We use them to show the exact words someone said. This is called direct speech, because it records precisely what was spoken, word for word, nothing changed.
Start the first word inside the speech marks with a capital letter. Keep any punctuation for the spoken sentence, like a full stop or exclamation mark, inside the closing speech mark.
Example: "Let's go!" shouted Tom.
If you leave out or change even one word from what was really said, it is no longer direct speech, so always copy the exact words.
Quoting from a text
When you write down exactly what someone said, always copy the words exactly. Do not change them, even a little bit.
Put speech marks around those exact words. This shows your reader precisely which words came from the person speaking, and which words are your own.
Speech marks work like a signal: everything between them is the exact, borrowed language, and anything outside them is written in your own words.
Example: Mum said, "Time for bed." Everything inside the speech marks is exactly what Mum said, word for word.
2 · Watch
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Where it sits
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Optional connections
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Where this leads
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