Using Punctuation in Speech.
Using punctuation in speech (direct speech) involves enclosing spoken words
in speech marks (like "..." or '...') and using commas, question marks, or
exclamation points inside those marks to show emotion or structure, with a capital
letter starting the spoken words, and starting a new line for each new speaker. It
clearly separates what's said from the narrative, using commas for reporting clauses
(e.g., "he said") and placing terminal punctuation (., ?, !) inside the quotes to show
the end of the spoken thought.
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Key Rules for Punctuation in Speech
Speech Marks (Inverted Commas): Place “ ” around the exact words
spoken.
Capital Letter: Always start the spoken words with a capital letter.
Terminal Punctuation: Full stops (.), question marks (?), and exclamation
marks (!) go inside the closing speech mark.
Reporting Clauses (e.g., "he said"):
o Use a comma before the speech if the clause comes first: Lily asked,
"Are we going?".
o If the clause comes after, the speech's own punctuation separates
it: "Are we going?" Lily asked..
New Speaker, New Line: Start a new line for each new person who speaks
to keep the dialogue clear.
Examples
Statement: “I think there is something moving in the bushes,” George said.
Question: “Are we walking to school today?” asked Lily.
Exclamation: “This song is brilliant!” exclaimed Raj.
Interrupted Speech: "Okay, here's the plan. I think we should go here, and,"
he rifled through papers, "if we don't find it, we move on."
Watch this video for examples of correct punctuation for different types of speech
Using Speech in Fiction Writing.
In fiction writing, it is really important for readers to understand which
character is saying what. In order to make this clear, writers use direct speech:
Direct speech is any word spoken by a character. It can be used to
help develop the characters and plot
Direct speech should sit inside speech marks
Direct speech must be carefully structured and
punctuated to clearly separate it from the rest of the text
Speech marks
Punctuation is used in direct speech to separate spoken words, or dialogue, from
the rest of a story. The words spoken by a character sit inside speech marks:
“Did you hear that noise?” whispered Sam.
Speech marks are sometimes known as inverted commas or quotation marks.
Some writers use double speech marks and some use single speech marks. You
can use either type as long as you are consistent - it’s important not to swap
between the two.
Remember to open - and close - the speech marks at the start - and end - of the
direct speech:
“I think there is something moving in the bushes,” George said.
Write out these sentences with the speech marks in the
correct place
1. I can’t wait for my birthday party! exclaimed Matthew.
2. What time does the film start? asked Amelia.
3. To get to the art gallery, you need to take the next left and then
Answers:
1. “I can’t wait for my birthday party!” exclaimed
Matthew.
2. “What time does the film start?” asked Amelia.
3. “To get to the art gallery, you need to take the next
left and then turn right,” the tour guide explained.
New speaker, new line
Direct speech is carefully structured to help the reader follow the
conversation. Every time there is a new speaker in the conversation, a new line
is used.
Each new section of dialogue is like beginning a new paragraph, so in a printed
novel you will see that each new line is also indented - this is when a line
starts further in from the margin. Each new line of direct speech should also
start with a capital letter:
“I think there is something moving in the bushes,” George said, looking
carefully in the direction from which the sound came.
“I can’t see anything,” said Molly.
“Perhaps we should turn our torches on,” whispered George.
“Okay, but let’s be really quiet.”
A reporting clause after the direct speech tells the reader who is
speaking. The last line above misses the reporting clause because the reader can
see that the character Molly is replying to George. Once a conversation gets
started, it’s fine to drop the reporting clauses.
Write out and organise this paragraph of dialogue
correctly. Where do you think a new line must be
started?
“Emily, can you hurry up please, we are all waiting for you!” exclaimed
Hannah. “I’m just putting my shoes on, I will be there in a minute,”
replied Emily. “What is taking so long? We will be late for the train, if we
don’t leave now.” “Ok, ok, I am on my way!” “You really need to be more
organised.”
Answer
“Emily, can you hurry up please, we are all waiting for you!” exclaimed
Hannah.
“I’m just putting my shoes on, I will be there in a minute,” replied Emily.
“What is taking so long? We will be late for the train, if we don’t leave
now.”
“Ok, ok, I am on my way!”
“You really need to be more organised.”
Punctuation inside speech marks
Each section of direct speech should end with a punctuation mark.
If there is no reporting clause then this is likely to be a full stop, question mark
or exclamation mark:
“Listen! I definitely heard something that time!”
Notice that these punctuation marks are included inside the speech marks. If
there is a reporting clause, then there is often a comma before the final speech
marks:
“I think we should go inside now,” said Molly.
There is usually a full stop after the reporting clause. This may come later if the
sentence continues:
“I think we should go inside now,” said Molly as she moved towards the house.
Moving the reporting clause
Sometimes the reporting clause is added in the middle of the direct speech:
“I think we should go inside now,” said Molly. “I just saw the lights come on.”
"If we go inside," George said, "we'll have to meet them!"
In these examples, the punctuation still goes inside the speech marks of
the first section.
A punctuation mark is then used after the reporting clause, before the
next set of speech marks. If you've put the reporting clause in the middle
of a sentence of speech then this should be a comma. If it's between two
sentences of speech then it should be a full stop. You can see both
examples above.
The second section of direct speech ends with the punctuation mark
inside the speech marks.
Write these out with the reporting clause moved to
different positions within the speech and add any
necessary changes to punctuation.
1. “I want to go on the rollercoaster first, actually on second thoughts,
can we go on the log flume first?” decided Jamie.
2. “It’s such a lovely, sunny day today! Let’s go to the park,” said
Michael.
3. "If you decide to go to the cinema, then call me." Sally said.
Answers
1. “I want to go on the rollercoaster first,**” decided Jamie, “**actually
on second thoughts, can we go on the log flume first?”
2. “It’s such a lovely, sunny day today!” said Michael. “Let’s
go to the park.”
The final comma in this sentence needs to be changed to
a full stop.
3. "If you decide to go to the cinema,**" Sally said, "**then call me."