Who's Talking?

Direct or Indirect Speech

• A direct quotation gives the speaker's exact words and must be enclosed in quotation marks.

  • The coach said, "This Friday is match day!"​

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• An indirect quotation tells what the speaker said but not in their exact words. It does not require quotation marks

  • The coach said that we have a match this Friday. ​

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Who's Talking?

Direct or Indirect Speech

• A direct quotation gives the speaker's exact words and must be enclosed in quotation marks.

  • The coach said, "This Friday is match day!"​

• An indirect quotation tells what the speaker said but not in their exact words. It does not require quotation marks

  • The coach said that we have a match this Friday. ​

​

, ! or ?

Separating the quote from the speech verb

• Use a comma to separate the dialogue from the speech verb, unless that quotation needs a question mark or an exclamation mark.

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"Next Monday is a public holiday," said Michael.

"Are you sure?" asked Sally.

"I'm positive!" insisted Michael. ​

Interrupted quotes

If the speech verb is in the middle of the quote...

• Put quotation marks around both parts of the interrupted quotation:

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"I'm going to the office," said Sally, "to see the nurse."

"You'll need a movement pass," Mrs. Figaro interrupted, "before you leave."

"It will be fine," yelled Sally. "The nurse knows me."

Quotes inside quotes!

Use single quotation marks ' ' for the second quote

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Michael stood up and said, "It was Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, who said, 'The things which are most important don't always scream the loudest.'"

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