In writing, we use two types of speech: direct speech and indirect speech.

           Direct speech                                                     Indirect speech (reported speech)

Inverted commas are used to show                             Reported speech shows what someone   

the direct words that someone has spoken.                          said without quoting their

E.g “What are you doing?” asked Billy.                     exact words; therefore, inverted commas

“I am very disappointed,” said mum.                                             are not required.

                                                                              E.g Alice said that she was desperate to

                                                              climb the mountain.

                                           Mum said that she was very disappointed.

Punctuating direct speech

When punctuating direct speech, all commas, full stops, question marks and exclamation marks must be inside the inverted commas. Direct speech must also begin with a capital letter.

Where speech comes before a verb, a comma must be used if a question mark or exclamation mark isn’t required.

E.g “I visited France in the summer holidays,” announced Fred.

Direct speech can also follow the verb. A comma must be used after the verb to indicate that the direct speech is about to begin. Speech must still begin with a capital letter and in this case, it

ends with a full stop.

E.g Fred announced, “I visited France in the summer holidays.”

Split Speech (UKS2)                                     New Speaker, New Line

If the direct speech is one sentence split        If a passage in a text contains direct speech

by information about who is speaking, a                 from more than one person, a new line

comma ends the first part of speech                         must be required for each speaker.

and comes before the second part begins.         This makes it easier for the reader to follow.

A capital letter is not required for                        E.g “Please can I borrow a pencil crayon?”

the second part of speech.                                                          asked Izzy.

E.g “Well,” announced Tim, “what are you         “Yes, sure,” replied Tom. “Which colour would

waiting for?”                                                                                   you like?”

If the speech is two sentences split by                           “Blue please,” replied Izzy.

information about who is speaking, a full

stop is used before the second sentence

instead of a comma.

E.g “This is fantastic,” cried Sam. “Can we do it

again?”