Direct and Reported Speech

Direct and Reported Speech

Talking about talking …

and writing about talking 

To tell our audience or readers that someone said something,

we have to give this information:

•who said it;

•what they said; and sometimes

•how they spoke or what they were doing at the time.

There are two ways to do it…

•Direct speech and

•reported speech

•LO: To be able to use direct and reported speech

•Success criteria:

•I know the difference between direct speech and reported speech;

•I can convert direct speech into reported speech;

•I can reconstruct direct speech from reported speech.

Open Ended

What do you know about direct and reported speech?

What’s the difference? 

Direct speech

We usually use it in telling a straightforward narrative (story).

Direct speech uses the speaker’s actual words:

What he or she said is what you write...

inside speech marks of course.

“ … … … ”

What’s the difference? 

Reported speech

We usually use it if we don’t want or need to say the person’s exact words.

It can sound a little more formal.

Open Ended

Can you tell the difference between direct and reported speech?

Direct speech uses: 

•Speech marks, also called “inverted commas”

•the person’s actual words

•In dialogue, use New Line for each New Speaker,

•Narration about who said it can go before, after or amongst the speaker’s actual words.

Direct speech uses: 

Speech marks or inverted commas

Examples:

John said, “I’m late.”

“I’m late,” John gasped.

“I’m late,” gasped John.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a direct speech?

• Janet said that she was going to travel to Nigeria.

• Janet said, ''I am going to travel to Nigeria.''

When we write direct speech: 

In dialogue: remember New Speaker – New Line

Example:

“I’m late,” gasped John.

New line

“Don’t worry,” Evie reassured him. “We’ll be in plenty of time for the bus.”

New line

“Are you sure?” John muttered anxiously.

How do we know who says “We’ll be in plenty of time for the bus”?

When we write direct speech: 

Narration about who said it can go

before, after or in amongst (between)

the speaker’s actual words.

When we write direct speech: 

Examples – before:

John said, “I’m late.”

After: 

“I’m late,” John gasped.

“I’m late,” gasped John.

Between/amongst:

“Oh no,” gasped John, “I’m going to be late.”

“Don’t worry,” Evie reassured him. “We’ll be in plenty of time for the bus.”

Open Ended

Ama shouted, ''I am tired!''

Write this direct speech with the narration after the speech.

Open Ended

'' We will win this race. We have trained very hard,'' Assured the coach.

Write this direct speech with the narration between the speech.

Reported speech 

•doesn’t use speech marks 

•changes pronouns, and often also changes word order  

•adjusts verb tenses ( usually used past tense)

•usually starts by telling you who spoke

•often uses “that…” - but you can omit it

•sometimes changes the verb too.

Reported speech

“I’m late,” said John. direct speech

John said he was late. reported speech

“Am I late?” John wondered. direct speech

John wondered whether he was late. reported

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is reported speech?

• ''Come here!'' demanded the commander.

• The commander asked the soldiers to come.

Reported speech adjusts verb tenses 

“I’m (present tense) late,” John muttered anxiously.

John muttered anxiously that he was (past tense) late.

“We’ll be in plenty of time for the bus,” Evie reassured him.

Evie reassured him that they would be in plenty of time for the bus.

“I missed the bus yesterday,” John admitted.

John admitted that he had missed the bus the day before. (past perfect or perfect tense)

Reported speech adjusts time phrases

“I missed the bus yesterday,” John admitted.

John admitted that he had missed the bus the day before.

“We’re going to see our grandad tomorrow,” Hassan reminded them.

Hassan reminded them that they were going to see their grandad the next day.

Katie announced: “I’m leaving this afternoon.”

Katie announced that she would be leaving that afternoon.

Reported speech usually uses “that…” – but you can omit it 

“I’m going to be late,” John said.

John said that he was going to be late.

“I’m going to be late,” John said.

John said he was going to be late.

Open Ended

''I am not going to school,'' Said the teacher.

Write this as a reported speech.

Open Ended

Ama pleaded,'' I only found them today.''

Write this as a reported speech.

Open Ended

Kofi asked, ''Where is my bag?''

Reported speech sometimes changes the verb too.

“I’m going to be late,” John muttered anxiously.

You could say: John worried that he was going to be late.

“Hey, Femi, look at this lemon-squeezer I’ve found,” Edward called excitedly.

You could say: Edward excitedly showed Femi the lemon-squeezer he had found.

“Sorry I’m late,” gasped John. 

You could say: John apologised for being late.