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Direct Speech
What Is Direct Speech?
General Rules of Direct Speech
Direct Speech Examples
Reporting clause before the reported speech
Reporting clause after the reported speech
Direct Speech | Image
Direct Speech
What Is Direct Speech?
Direct speech is a way of reporting a spoken text that quotes the exact words of the speaker. It is also called a
quoted speech as it literally contains quotation marks that enclose the actual words said. It is typically
accompanied by a reporting clause or signal phrase. This type of speech is commonly observed in novels
and scripts that contain dialogues or conversations between characters.
Examples:
Examples:
Nothing that is not part of the quoted text should be enclosed in the quotation. If you plan to put the reporting
clause in between two quoted text, make sure that it is not included inside any of the sets of quotation marks.
Examples:
3. Placement of comma
You should separate the reported speech from the reporting clause by a comma. If the reporting clause precedes
the reported speech, you have to put the comma before the opening quotation mark. There has to be a space
between the comma and the quotation.
Examples:
If the reporting clause is found after the reported speech, the comma should be placed right before the closing
quotation mark. Meaning, it should be found after the last word of the quoted text.
Example:
However, for quoted speech ending with a question or exclamation mark, you don’t need to put a comma
anymore.
Example: