What are the rules for punctuating speech?

2 years ago
2 minutes


The Rules for Punctuating Direct Speech

  • The direct speech comes first, followed by narration.
  • The narration is first, followed by the direct speech.
  • Direct speech is broken up by narration.
  • There is only direct speech and no narration. …
  • Remember to start a new paragraph each time a different character begins to speak.

What are the four key rules of punctuating speech?

New speech starts on a new line. Each line of speech starts with a capital letter. The line of speech ends with a comma, exclamation mark or question mark. A reporting clause is often (but not always) used at the end.

How do you punctuate reported speeches?

In direct speech we usually put a comma between the reporting clause and the reported clause. The words of the original speaker are enclosed in inverted commas, either single (‘…’) or double (“…”). If the reported clause comes first, we put the comma inside the inverted commas: “I couldn’t sleep last night,” he said.

What are the basic rules of direct and indirect speech?





Changes as per Tense

Direct Speech Indirect Speech
Present simple (Subject +V1st + Object) Past simple (Subject +V2 + Object)
Present continuous (Subject +is/am/are+V1 +ing+ Object) Past Continuous (Subject +was/were+V1 +ing+ Object)
Present perfect (Subject + has/have+V3+Object) Past perfect (Subject+had+V3+Object)

How do you punctuate a 4 year speech?

Learning focus

In Years 3 & 4, students are aiming to: use inverted commas and other punctuation to indicate direct speech.

How do you write a sentence in reported speech?

Here’s how it works:





If this verb is in the present tense, it’s easy. We just put ‘she says’ and then the sentence: Direct speech: I like ice cream. Reported speech: She says (that) she likes ice cream.

How do you punctuate a speech at the end of a sentence?

The line of speech ends with a comma, exclamation mark or question mark. A reporting clause is used at the end (said Jane, shouted Paul, replied Mum). A full stop goes after the reporting clause.

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