Punctuation in Direct Speech

While writing a sentence punctuation marks are very essential. It clearly shows the starting of the sentence and end of the sentence. It is the use of spacing, punctuation marks that helps incorrect reading of the text. The rules of punctuation differ with language, location and time.  Punctuation is used in direct speech to separated the text with the help of different marks like commas, full stop, inverted commas, hyphens, etc.

Types of Punctuation

1. Full stop

A full stop is used to show the end of the sentence. For example, I want to go to the beach.

2. Commas

Commas are used to break down the sentences. It helps in combining two sentences. In a sentence where commas are present, it tells us to pause while speaking. For example: Although I hate science, I quite like learning about atoms.

3. Question marks

These marks are used to indicate that a person is asking a question. They are always used at the end of the sentence. For example: Do you still want to dance?

4. Exclamation marks

These marks are used to indicate excitement, emotions or nervousness in a sentence. For example: Look, it’s a dog!

5. Colons

These marks are used to indicate that there are two sentences connected. For example:

The golden rule to bathe in the sea is: Be Careful.

6. Semicolons

These marks are used to join two clauses and are difficult to understand. For example:

Riya was sad; she got fired from the job.

7. Apostrophes

These marks are used to indicate that something belongs to someone. 

For Example, The girl’s barbie has been broken.

8. Dash

It is used to separate words in a sentence. For example:

The apple – the rotten one- is thrown.

9. Hyphen

It is the most common punctuation used in sentences. 

For example, John had a part-time job to work on Sunday.

10. Brackets

These are curved semi-circular symbols that are used to separate non-essential information from sentences. For example, she finally passed (after failing four times) the CA exam.

Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct and indirect speech is the part of reported speech. Reported speech is often paraphrased or summarised.

Direct Speech

Direct speech is being used when the exact thing has to be written. For example, The teacher came and said “ bring your homework copies here.” Direct speech is often used in daily conversations and storybooks. For Example:

The teacher said, “Your monthly test will start next Monday .”

She replied, “I cannot eat more food.”

Indirect Speech

Indirect speech is used in daily conversations as well as newspaper reports when we have to report or do not have to write exact things which we speak. For example:

Direct speech: “We need your help.”

Indirect Speech: They said that they need my help.

Punctuation Marks used in Direct Speech

Various types of punctuation are used to separate the words of the quote from the rest of the sentences. Some basic rules of punctuation of direct speech are:

1. The words are usually inside in inverted commas. 

For example, Ram said, “She’s very cheerful, you know.”

2. A new paragraph starts whenever a new speaker says something. 

For example: “You didn’t come to school yesterday”, said Rahul.

“Yes, I had a fever,” I replied.

3. There should be a comma, full stop, exclamation mark or a question mark at the end of the sentence. All these will be covered with inverted commas. For example:

He asked, “May I come in?”

“Yes,” said the teacher.

4. If the direct speech comes after the information then there shall be a comma before the first inverted comma. For example:

Ram said, “No worry.”

5. If the direct speech is broken up by information then to end the first sentence a full stop or comma shall be used. For Example:

“I am sick,” he said, “It is painful.”

Examples of Punctuation in Direct Speech

1. “I’m coming to the party,” she said.
2. She said, ‘I’m coming home late tonight.”
3. “Hurry up! We are getting late” he shouted.
4. “Do you like watching cartoons?” said Tina.
5. “Well,” said Joy, “I had no idea about your job.”
6. “What did you have for breakfast yesterday, Friend ?” Riya asked.
7. “Yes, I was having a fever” I replied.
8. “May I come in?” he asked
9. “Do you often drink tea?” he asked.
10. She asked, “can I have a packet of chocolates please?”
11.  “After the class,” said Ram “we’ll go to a movie.”
12. “I’m fed up with you,” Riya snapped “I am leaving you.”
13. “I think,” said Riya “I’ll give up my dream of singing.”
14. “Can we go home now?” Linda pleaded to Simon.
15. “Do you like my new house?” Roma asked hesitantly.
16. “How are you today?” asked my grandmother, “the last time I saw you, you weren’t feeling well.”
17. “Please,” said the teacher, “keep quiet.”
18. “Do you have a packet of the pen,” the gentleman asked “in blue colour?”
19. “We are going to the movies” said Riya.
20. “After we went shopping,” said Mary “our car broke down.”
21.  “Why did you leave me?” screamed Elizabeth.
22. “Can you help me find my keys?” Roy asked June.
23. “In the end,” thought Eric, “it’s good that I brought my phone.”
24. ‘Is that my hat?” wondered Rick.
25. Ruhi asked her brother, “Where were you yesterday?”
26. “You cannot go out today,” said mother “guests are coming.”

Conclusion

Both direct and indirect speech is used while writing a speech. Punctuation is important in writing sentences as it tells the emotions behind those sentences and why those sentences have been written.

Each section of direct speech will include a punctuation mark at the end of the text. Sometimes a clause is also added in between the speech. Every line of direct speech is started with inverted commas and ends with inverted commas.