Punctuating Direct Speech
Punctuate direct speech using inverted commas (speech marks), understanding that direct speech records the exact words spoken and must be enclosed in punctuation marks
Teaching approaches
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1 approach
When your child writes down something a character said in a story, do they put speech marks around the exact words — like "Come here," she called — and use the correct punctuation inside?
Punctuate direct speech using inverted commas (speech marks), understanding that direct speech records the exact words spoken and must be enclosed in punctuation marks
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3 before · 3 after
Before
This concept
Check understanding
- Place inverted commas around the spoken words in a sentence (e.g., "Let's go!" shouted Tom.)
- Write a sentence containing direct speech with correct punctuation including a reporting clause (e.g., Mum said, "Time for bed.")
- Identify direct speech in a text and explain what the inverted commas show
“When your child writes down something a character said in a story, do they put speech marks around the exact words — like "Come here," she called — and use the correct punctuation inside?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Procedural
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Grammar & Punctuation
- Age range
- Ages 7–10
Standards