Transcript Direct_and_indirect speech

Reporting speech
•
•
There are two ways of reporting
what somebody says;
direct speech
indirect (or reported) speech.
Direct Speech
In direct speech we
use the speaker’s
own words.
“In text we
put speech
marks
around the
words
spoken”
“Speech
marks are
also
called
inverted
commas”
Indirect speech
In indirect speech (sometimes called reported
speech) we do not use the exact words of
the speaker.
Instead we report what was said.
We sometimes need to change pronouns and
verb tenses. We don’t use speech marks.
“I am going
home.”
Helen said she was going home.
Form of direct speech in writing
actual spoken statement
direct statement in writing
‘I'm waiting‘
'I'm waiting,' John said
actual spoken question
direct question in writing
'When did you arrive, John?'
'When did you arrive, John?' Mary asked
Punctuation in Direct Speech.
When using direct speech in your writing you need
to use the correct punctuation:
• The exact words spoken must be enclosed in
quotation marks (or ‘inverted commas’).
Examples:
‘Is that you Jane?' Bob asked
"Is that you, Jane?’’ Bob asked
• The first word of the speech must begin with a
capital letter.
John said, ‘It’s good to see you’
• The words in the quotation marks must be
separated from the rest of the sentence by a
comma.
‘It is good to see you’, John said.
But:
‘Where can I get a taxi?’ John asked
“What a beautiful baby!’ Jane said.
•Subject + verb can come in the middle of a quotationsentence:
'Where in this wretched town ' John asked ‘can I get a
taxi?’
•If there is a 'quote within a quote' (e.g. if we are quoting
someone's exact words), we use a second set of quotation
marks.
Ann said 'Just as I was leaving, a voice shouted "Stop!”.’
'What do you mean?, "Are you all right?” ?’ Ann asked
•We can also use a second set of quotation marks when we mention
the title of e.g. a book, film or play:
How long did it take you to read "War and Peace"?' I asked
•Noun + reporting verb may be in subject + verb order or may be
inverted (verb + subject)
'This is a serious offence,' the judge said/said the judge
•If the subject is a long one, then inversion is usual:
'Where's this train going?' asked the lady sitting beside me.
But
With a pronoun subject, inversion is rare
'This is a serious offence,' he said
•Some reporting verbs, particularly those requiring an object,
such as assure, inform and tell cannot be inverted. Adverbs of
manner usually come at the end.
'Go away!' said Mr Tomkins/Mr Tomkins said angrily.
•Quotation marks are generally not required with reporting verbs
such as ask oneself, think and wonder they are used to describe
'direct thoughts' in 'free indirect speech'
So that was their little game, he thought.
Where are they now, he wondered.
Using Speech in Your Writing
Using speech in fiction and non-fiction writing adds
variety.
However, writing out long pieces of direct speech
can make your writing confusing. It also slows
down the action.
Reported speech can summarise what the speaker
has said so that the action moves along more
quickly.
Reported speech is useful when you want a contrast
between what a character says and what he or she
is thinking. (e.g. Lady Macbeth)
Advantages and disadvantages of
each type of speech.
• Direct speech can
• Indirect speech can be
show what a character
summarised briefly so
is like.
that it does not slow
down the pace of the
• Long speeches can be
action.
boring.
• It can show a contrast
• Too many speakers
between what a
can confuse the reader.
character is saying and
• Direct speech can add
what
he
or
she
is
variety to writing.
thinking.
Summary
• In your writing use mainly reported speech. Use
direct speech only to emphasise the main points
your characters make.
• Don’t bore and confuse your readers by writing
out long conversations between your characters.
• Direct speech should be used sparingly.
• It is most effective when only the most forceful
statements are put into direct speech.
'Say, 'tell' and 'ask'
We use indirect speech (sometimes called 'reported speech')
when we are telling someone what another person says or said.
The reporting verb (e.g. say tell) may be in the present
or past (most often in the past) and the tenses of the
reported statement are often (but not always) affected
by this
- actual spoken statement: ‘I can see him now’.
- direct statement in writing: ‘I can see him now,' the boss
says/said .
- indirect statement (present): The boss says (that) he can
see you now.
-indirect statement (past): The boss said (that) he could
see you now.
Note: Quotation marks are not used in indirect speech.
The commonest reporting verbs in both direct and
indirect speech are say, tell and ask
These three verbs do not follow the same pattern.
Tell must be followed by a personal indirect object (tell
somebody )
Say can be followed by an optional to+ the person who is
addressed
You haven't got much time, he told me/he said (to me).
Ask can be followed by an indirect object
'Are you comfortable?' he asked (me)
He asked (me) if I was comfortable.
In reported requests the inclusion or not of an object affects the
meaning:
She asked to go (actual spoken words: 'May I go?')
She asked me to go (actual spoken words: 'Will you go? )
'Say', 'tell' and 'ask' in direct speech
Say is commonly associated with direct speech
in writing:
'It's raining’, I said
We can also use say with short, ordinary questions in direct speech
'Are you all right?' he said/asked (Not "told me*)
Say (Not "told him/asked*) can introduce a statement or
question
I said ,’It s raining’
I said, ‘Is it ready?’
Say or tell can be used in direct speech and can also
introduce direct commands
Don’ t touch that he said (to them)/told them
Ask is used in direct questions
How are you? she asked (me)/said (Not *told me*)
'Say', 'tell' and 'ask' in indirect speech
Say and tell someone + optional that can introduce
indirect statements.
We never use a comma after say or tell someone.
He said (that)/told me (that) his life was in danger.
When the reporting verb comes at the end of the sentence, we
cannot use that
His life was in danger he told me/he said.
Ask (with or without a personal indirect object) can report a
question
Ask (someone) is followed by if/whether or a question-word
She asked (me) if/whether I wanted anything.
She asked (me) what I wanted.