New
New
Year 4

Speech second: inverted commas and punctuation rules

I can accurately punctuate a speech second sentence.

New
New
Year 4

Speech second: inverted commas and punctuation rules

I can accurately punctuate a speech second sentence.

Lesson details

Key learning points

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

Common misconception

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.

Keywords

  • 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

Display the graphic representations of speech first and speech second sentences in the classroom so that pupils can refer to them when writing and editing.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is missing from the following speech first sentence? "he did it before I did!" exclaimed Jun in frustration.
inverted commas
Correct answer: a capital letter for 'he'
a full stop
a comma
Q2.
What is the purpose of the reporting clause in this sentence? "This is appalling behaviour!" bellowed Mr Clarke angrily.
Correct answer: to show who is speaking
to show what the person said
Correct answer: to show how the person is feeling as they speak
Correct answer: to show how the person is speaking
Q3.
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.
Correct answer: ,
!
.
?
Q4.
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.
Correct answer: "Can I help you?" Aisha asked nervously.
Q5.
Match the direct speech to the most appropriate reporting clause.
Correct Answer:"What's wrong?",asked Andeep kindly.

asked Andeep kindly.

Correct Answer:"Go away!",Alex shouted in anger.

Alex shouted in anger.

Correct Answer:"Let's not argue,",offered Sam with a smile.

offered Sam with a smile.

Q6.
Match the punctuation mark to the way it is used at the end of direct speech.
Correct Answer:question mark,used at the end of a question

used at the end of a question

Correct Answer:exclamation mark,used to show strong emotions

used to show strong emotions

Correct Answer:full stop,not used in a speech first sentence

not used in a speech first sentence

Correct Answer:comma,used when there is no strong emotion

used when there is no strong emotion

6 Questions

Q1.
Where is the reporting clause found in a speech second sentence?
Correct answer: at the start
at the end
in the middle
Q2.
What punctuation is missing in this sentence? Jacob sighed angrily "You said that last time!"
a full stop
inverted commas
Correct answer: a comma
exclamation mark
Q3.
What punctuation is missing in this sentence? The elderly man grumbled, "I can't walk that fast anymore"
Correct answer: a full stop
inverted commas
question mark
comma
Q4.
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
Correct answer: there is no capital letter at the start of the direct speech
Q5.
Which of the following answers may be included in a reporting clause?
Correct answer: the name of the speaker
the words they spoke
Correct answer: an adverb to show how they spoke
Correct answer: a synonym for said
Q6.
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."
Correct answer: 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"