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
The lesson
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.
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.
Watch it
Where it sits
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.