Speech second: inverted commas and punctuation rules | English

Starter quiz

What is missing from the following speech first sentence? "he did it before I did!" exclaimed Jun in frustration.
- inverted commas
- a capital letter for 'he' ✓
- a full stop
- a comma
What is the purpose of the reporting clause in this sentence? "This is appalling behaviour!" bellowed Mr Clarke angrily.
- to show who is speaking ✓
- to show what the person said
- to show how the person is feeling as they speak ✓
- to show how the person is speaking ✓
Which punctuation mark is most appropriate for the gap in this sentence? "I need a volunteer to help me water these plants__________" said Miss Ofoedu with a smile.
- , ✓
- !
- .
- ?
Which option correctly punctuates this idea for a speech first sentence? can I help you Aisha asked nervously
- "can I help you?" Aisha asked nervously.
- "Can I help you" Aisha asked nervously.
- "Can I help you?" Aisha asked nervously. ✓
Match the direct speech to the most appropriate reporting clause.
- "What's wrong?"
  
  ⇔
  
  asked Andeep kindly. ✓
- "Go away!"
  
  ⇔
  
  Alex shouted in anger. ✓
- "Let's not argue,"
  
  ⇔
  
  offered Sam with a smile. ✓
Match the punctuation mark to the way it is used at the end of direct speech.
- question mark
  
  ⇔
  
  used at the end of a question ✓
- exclamation mark
  
  ⇔
  
  used to show strong emotions ✓
- full stop
  
  ⇔
  
  not used in a speech first sentence ✓
- comma
  
  ⇔
  
  used when there is no strong emotion ✓

Where is the reporting clause found in a speech second sentence?
- at the start ✓
- at the end
- in the middle
What punctuation is missing in this sentence? Jacob sighed angrily "You said that last time!"
- a full stop
- inverted commas
- a comma ✓
- exclamation mark
What punctuation is missing in this sentence? The elderly man grumbled, "I can't walk that fast anymore"
- a full stop ✓
- inverted commas
- question mark
- comma
What error has been made in this speech second sentence? Mr Clarke demanded angrily, "who did this?"
- the comma is missing after the reporting clause
- there is no closing punctuation after the direct speech
- there is no capital letter at the start of the reporting clause
- there is no capital letter at the start of the direct speech ✓
Which of the following answers may be included in a reporting clause?
- the name of the speaker ✓
- the words they spoke
- an adverb to show how they spoke ✓
- a synonym for said ✓
Which version of the sentence below is punctuated correctly as a speech second sentence?
- Miss Ofoedu chuckled happily "I suppose we can after we've finished our work."
- Miss Ofoedu chuckled happily, "I suppose we can after we've finished our work." ✓
- Miss Ofoedu chuckled happily, "I suppose we can after we've finished our work"

Loading worksheet ...

Loading presentation ...

Direct speech is the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text.
A speech second sentence begins with the reporting clause followed by a character's spoken words.
The reporting clause comes before the speech to show who said the speech and how.
The speech sentence spoken by a character must start with a capital letter.

Pupils may omit the comma after the reporting clause, or they may use a comma to end the sentence.

Reinforce the point that commas are never used to close a sentence, even in speech second sentences.

Direct speech - the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text
Speech second sentence - a sentence that includes direct speech second after the reporting clause
Inverted commas - a pair of punctuation marks that signal direct speech to the reader
Reporting clause - a clause that tells the reader who said the speech sentence and how
Speech first sentence - a sentence that includes direct speech first before the reporting clause