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 quotation-sentence: '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 show what a character is like.

• Long speeches can be boring.

• Too many speakers can confuse the reader.

• Direct speech can add variety to writing.

• Indirect speech can be summarised briefly so that it does not slow down the pace of the action.

• It can show a contrast between what a character is saying and what he or she is 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.