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Punctuation in direct speech

We use inverted commas (also called quotation marks, quotes or speech marks) to indicate direct speech. Double quotes (") are preferred in American English, while single quotes (') are more common in British English:

" I'm coming home late tonight, " she said. (American English) ' I'm coming home late tonight, ' she said. (British English)

If we quote within direct speech, we use the other style for the embedded quotation:

"She said, ' I'm coming home late tonight ', " recalled Jim. (American English) 'She said, " I'm coming home late tonight ", ' recalled Jim. (British English)

As can be seen in the examples above, a comma ( , ) is used at the end of the quotation, before the closing speech mark.

A comma is also used before the quotation if we start the sentence with the reporting clause. In this case the terminal full stop (.) comes before the closing speech mark:

She added , "Don't expect me before 11 . "

If the quotation is a question or exclamation, the terminal marks ( ? and ! ) also come before the closing speech marks:

"Hurry up ! " he shouted. She asked, "Am I late ? "

The quotation normally begins with a capital letter, except if it is interrupted by a reporting clause, in which case the first letter of the continuation is not capitalised:

" I 'm coming home late tonight," she said and added, " d on't expect me before 11."

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• Speech Marks Inverted Commas Ks2 Worksheets Resources

Speech marks / inverted commas KS2 – 7 of the best SPaG worksheets and resources

Get primary pupils properly punctuating direct speech with these worksheets, activities and ideas for teaching inverted commas (or ‘speech marks’)…

What are inverted commas?

Inverted commas, also known as speech marks or quotation marks (sometimes ‘quote marks’), are punctuation marks used in writing to indicate speech or a quotation.

They can also be used to indicate a phrase or quote, but typically in British English we use single quotation marks for this, whereas American English uses double.

But we all still use the double bunny ears when doing air quotes…

Inverted commas National Curriculum programme of study links

Year 3 : Introduction to inverted commas to punctuate direct speech

Year 4 : Use of inverted commas and other punctuation to indicate direct speech [for example, a comma after the reporting clause; end punctuation within inverted commas: The conductor shouted, “Sit down!”]

1 | How to use inverted commas video guide

For a nice little introduction or recap to inverted commas, watch this video of Mr Thorne take you through their uses.

It’s clearly explained with large captions across the bottom so that children can see his examples written out with the correct punctuation.

2 | Year 4 punctuating direct speech resource pack

This powerful KS2 grammar resources pack provides everything you need to teach how to punctuate direct speech. The pack is split into five parts and is differentiated for three levels of ability.

Get this resource pack here.

3 | Direct speech challenge worksheets

This bright, appealing grammar worksheet is an excellent way to practise and revise using direct speech in Year 4.

It is divided into five sections: understand, challenge, test, explain and apply.

Activities include SATs style questions and opportunities for creative writing responses, with eye-catching images as prompts.

Find this one here.

4 | Quotation marks worksheet

This two-page worksheet has six tasks and an extension all revolving around punctuating speech.

So it starts with putting speech marks into sentences, then putting speech marks and all other punctuation, before building up to punctuating longer passages.

Print it here.

5 | Speech marks washing line

This handy idea was created by Clarice Morley, an English teacher in a Pupil Referral Unit, who found her boys were struggling with the use of speech marks.

They invented three characters – male, female and a rabbit – and produced some labels such as “Rory exclaimed” and “Brenda whispered”. Clarice then stretched a washing line across the board, and had two pegs with the speech marks on.

The boys would write something someone would say onto a piece of paper, then they matched one of the labels with one of their speeches, and hung the speech on the washing line.

They soon grasped it is only the reported speech that hangs on the line, and the pegs (speech marks) keep it in place.

Print out the worksheet for this resource here.

6 | Speech mark rules

There are many “rules” of speech marks, but no definitive list, and you don’t want to overwhelm children with too many while they’re just learning.

So this Rising Stars list of five rules is a nice size for children to read and take in.

Check it out here.

7 | Inverted commas worksheet set

This resource set has three parts. One is ‘Witch and Tiger Conversation’, which shows ten pictures with blank speech bubbles. Children choose names for the witch and the tiger, then create the contents of the conversation.

Next they re-write this conversation in the form of a story by adding phrases such as ‘said Tom’ and ‘asked Joe’ as well as speech marks and other punctuation.

The second and third parts are ‘Missing Speech Marks’ worksheets, where children need to add speech marks to sentences.

Get all this here.

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4.4a Year 4: using and punctuating direct speech KS2 (speech verbs)

Resource Collection Real Grammar

Download your resource

This resource is part of our grammar curriculum.

• Covers every objective for years 1-6
• Five-step sequence ensures deep understanding
• Includes asssessment and revision tools

This Real Grammar Key Stage 2 resources pack provides everything that you need to explore speech verbs, also known as reporting verbs, to pupils in Year 4. Pupils will learn how to use synonyms for the word ‘said’ to widen their vocabulary choices when writing direct speech. Teaching slides, worksheets, games and an opportunity to apply the new learning in a writing task are all included to teach how speech verbs are used in direct speech to pupils in Year 4 or to revisit this area of learning.

Inverted commas are first introduced in Year 3 with other speech punctuation introduced in Year 4. Pupils should have a secure understanding how direct speech is punctuated before completing the activities in this resource pack. A Real Grammar resource pack on inverted commas is available in Year 3 and punctuating direct speech in Year 4.

What are speech verbs (reporting verbs)?

A speech verb shows how words are spoken when writing direct speech. The most common speech verb is ‘said’ but there are many more examples. The speech verbs are used in the reporting clause when writing direct speech to show who is speaking.

Examples of speech verbs include said , explained , asked , told , whispered , shouted etc.

What is direct speech?

Direct speech is when the exact words that someone says is written.

• “We are going on an adventure,” said Travis.
• “The choir performed brilliantly at the church,” said Mrs Smith.

What is the reporting clause?

The reporting clause is the short clause that can come before or after the direct speech that states who was talking. It can also show how the speech was said.

• “We are going on an adventure,” announced Travis.
• “The choir performed brilliantly at the church,” beamed Mrs Smith.

What is included in this resource pack?

This pack is divided into five parts:

This section includes PowerPoint teaching slides and teaching notes with an optional script to introduce speech verbs. It can also be used to revisit this aspect of grammar with pupils.

An independent activity for pupils to practise using what they have been taught, allowing teachers to assess understanding.

A series of short, 10-minute activities that can be used following the TEACH session to revisit and rehearse what has been taught. These may be short writing tasks, grammar games or editing/proofreading activities.

A short writing task where pupils can use the grammar skills taught in context to produce independent writing.

Five SATs style test questions, including cloze activities and multiple choice quiz questions, based on the grammar that has been taught.

Teachers can choose which section of the resource pack to use according to their pupils’ needs and could use the activities over a series of lessons or weeks

Teacher notes are provided to show how these quality resources could be used with pupils.

How is this resource pack differentiated?

The PRACTISE and REVISE sections include three activities differentiated for three levels of ability:

• Worksheet 1 for pupils who may need support. Questions will have a lower cognitive domain (what is being asked of pupils) and/or vocabulary used may be simplified where possible.
• Worksheet 2 for pupils working at age related expectations.
• Worksheet 3 for pupils who may need an additional challenge and may be working at a greater depth in this area. Questions will have a higher cognitive domain with more challenging vocabulary.

SUPPORT and CHALLENGE ideas are also included in the teacher notes of each section where relevant, with ideas of how to support pupils working towards the expected standard or at greater depth in this area.

What pupil-facing resources are included?

PPT slides; model text ‘A new home for Pepper’; ‘synonyms for ‘said’’ word mat

Practise 1, Practise 2 and Practise 3 worksheets

Game 1, game 2, game 3

Planning sheet, images

PPT slides; Revise 1, Revise 2 and Revise 3 worksheets

Answer sheets for all worksheets are provided, where appropriate.

This resource is part of the Real Grammar collection. View more from this collection

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w.c. 27.4.20 - Direct Speech

Bbc bitesize wind in the willows video.

• Wind in the Willows Part 2 - The Open Road - 27.4.20

Wind in the Willows book

• Wind in the Willows - 27.4.20

You can also read The Wind in the Willows book. Click on the link above and it will take you to the globalgreybooks page. Scroll down and click on the blue PDF link. This will take you to the book.

English work for w.c. 27.4.20

The children are to watch the video on BBC Bitesize 'The Open Road' (the link is available above).

They then need to write a conversation that would fit one of the following scenarios:

A conversation between Mole and Rat on their way to Toad's house.

A conversation between Mole, Rat and Toad at Toad's house.

A conversation between Mole, Rat and Toad when they see the motor car fall into the ditch.

Punctuating Speech

• T2-E-1581-Punctuating-Speech-PowerPoint_ver_5.ppt

Punctuating Direct Speech

• T2-E-254-Inverted-Commas-Poster-Mat_ver_2.pdf

Try and use different words for 'said' to make your speech more interesting!

Direct speech example - This is from The Wind in the Willows book. There is a link to this above. - 27.4.20

“I don’t know that I think so very much of that little song, Rat,” observed the Mole cautiously. He was no poet himself and didn’t care who knew it; and he had a candid nature.

“Nor don’t the ducks neither,” replied the Rat cheerfully. “They say, ’Why can’t fellows be allowed to do what they like when they like and as they like, instead of other fellows sitting on banks and watching them all the time and making remarks and poetry and things about them? What nonsense it all is!’ That’s what the ducks say.”

“So it is, so it is,” said the Mole, with great heartiness.

“No, it isn’t!” cried the Rat indignantly.

“Well then, it isn’t, it isn’t,” replied the Mole soothingly. “But what I wanted to ask you was, won’t you take me to call on Mr. Toad? I’ve heard so much about him, and I do so want to make his acquaintance.”

“Why, certainly,” said the good-natured Rat, jumping to his feet and dismissing poetry from his mind for the day. “Get the boat out, and we’ll paddle up there at once. It’s never the wrong time to call on Toad. Early or late, he’s always the same fellow. Always good-tempered, always glad to see you, always sorry when you go!”

“He must be a very nice animal,” observed the Mole, as he got into the boat and took the sculls, while the Rat settled himself comfortably in the stern.

Features of direct speech in an example - 27.4.20

1 -  Beginning and end  - Keep your inverted commas at the beginning and the end of the words being spoken.

e.g.  " Stop! "  I said.

2 -  New line, New speaker  - Start a new line whenever someone new speaks.

"How are you doing today?" asked Henry.

"I'm great!" replied Adam.

3 -  Capital letter  - Begin what is spoken with a capital letter.

" W hat an amazing day!" he announced.

4 -  Commas  - Remember to add commas

Ashton whispered ,  "Be quiet!"

"Goodbye , " said Jules.

5 -  Punctuation  - Make sure your speech is correctly punctuated.

"There are times, I feel, that you are a little cold , " I said .

“ S o it is, so it is , ”   said the Mole, with great heartiness.

“ N o, it isn’t ! ”   cried the Rat indignantly.

Inverted commas

Reporting clause

Capital letter

Punctuation

Unfortunately not the ones with chocolate chips.

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