1. Golden rules: New line for each speaker; Use speech marks: “......” Start with Capital letter and end with a punctuation mark before closing speech marks e.g. “Go to the shops!”

2.  Avoid repeating said after speech marks. How many ways are there of saying ‘ said ’?

3. replied stated whispered retorted grumbled exclaimed yelled complained answered declared announced mumbled muttered eulogised asked queried explained shouted

4.  Use a comma, exclamation mark or question mark if you are explaining who is saying the line afterwards e.g. “I can’t,” I replied. “Why not?” he asked. Using full stops before final speech mark means that is the end of the paragraph.

5. “I’m going out “ I said. “Please yourself “my mum said. “It’s your life “ “Too right “ I exclaimed. “That’s it. I’m washing my hands of you “ “About time – I don’t want your grubby hands on my life anyway. Don’t you think I can look after myself “ HINT: Only use a closing comma if you carry on after the direct speech.

6.  If the conversation is between two people, there is no need to keep on explaining who is speaking e.g. “No, “ he said. “I insist,” Bob replied. “I must, “ he said. “No worries,” Bob said. “Fine then,” he said. “Ok then,” Bob replied. This looks DAFT!

7.  Split up direct speech with your narrative e.g. “Go on,” I encouraged with a smile. “You’ll do really well!” Split these up to get the higher grades:  “I can’t do it! There’s not enough time,” he said.  “Where do you think you’re going? You’re not allowed in there!” the man shouted.  “Congratulations! It’s your 16 th birthday,” they shouted.

8.  “I can’t do it!” he shouted in panic, “there’s not enough time.”  “Where do you think you’re going?” the man shouted across the hall. “You’re not allowed in there!”  “Congratulations!” they all shouted at the top of their voice. “It’s your 16 th birthday.”

9. Write a part of a story where your mother or father has found out that you have had an offensive tattoo made on your shoulder or back. How does the argument develop? Aim to follow all the rules and try to split the speech. You can start: “What’s that?” my mother asked, pointing at my shoulder.