1. Speech Marks

2. RULES FOR WRITING DIRECT SPEECH  Two things are important when writing direct speech:  a. The direct speech must be separated from the rest of the writing.  b. The reader must know which character is speaking.

3.  1. Each separate speech must begin and end with inverted commas. Nothing must come inside the inverted commas which is not either part of the speech or the punctuation which belongs to it.  Examples:  “I think I shall go home to sleep,” he said. “I am tired.”  “I am bored by this film,” she complained. “Let’s go.”

4.  2. All punctuation which belongs to the speech must come inside the inverted commas.  Example:  “How do you know?” he asked.

5.  3. It must be absolutely clear who is speaking.  “Good morning,” said the doctor.  “It’s not a good morning,” said Mrs Tai. “It’s raining.”

6. ADDING TONE AND MOODS  Humans use their voices to indicate their moods. Unfortunately, we have no way of writing down the tone of a voice. The best we can do is to choose a verb which describes the way in which the speech is spoken.

7. 1. For neutral speech (where the tone of voice does not matter) - Say, ask, enquire, reply, respond, answer.  2. For loud speech - Shout, yell, bellow, scream, screech, howl, roar, thunder.  3. For soft speech - Whisper, murmur, mutter, hiss.

8.  4. For angry or commanding speech - Order, command, complain, demand, announce, retort, interrupt, threaten.  5. For other moods - Growl, snarl, snort, grunt, groan, wail, stammer, cry, gasp, exclaim, coo, jabber, yelp, whimper.

9.  If the direct speech is at the beginning of the sentence, put the comma before the final quotation mark. (Don’t use a full stop here.)  Example: “I was in London last year,” she said.

10.  Don’t use a comma after direct speech if the direct speech ends with a question mark or exclamation mark.  Example:  “Were you in London last year?” he asked. OR  He asked, “Were you in London last year?” “Great!” she replied. OR  She replied, “Great!”

11. Fix up the sentences  He said I don't have time now.  Francis asked me Where are you from?  I must go now Chris said.  What time is it? Joanne asked I have to be home at ten.  Watch out! Charlie cried The bull is right behind you