Speech first: punctuation rules
I can punctuate a speech first sentence.
Speech first: punctuation rules
I can punctuate a speech first sentence.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Direct speech is the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text.
- There is a set of rules for how to accurately punctuate direct speech.
- Inverted commas are the punctuation marks that signal direct speech to the reader.
- The speech sentence spoken by a character must start with a capital letter.
- If direct speech comes first in a sentence with the reporting clause second, it can be called a speech first sentence.
Keywords
Direct speech - the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text
Reporting clause - a clause that tells the reader who said the speech and how
Clause - a group of words that contains a verb
Speech first sentence - a sentence that includes direct speech first before the reporting clause
Inverted commas - a pair of punctuation marks that signals direct speech to the reader
Common misconception
Pupils may not know what 'speech first' means.
Explain that if the direct speech opens or comes first in the sentence with the reporting clause afterwards or second, this can be referred to as a speech first sentence.
To help you plan your year 3 english lesson on: Speech first: punctuation rules, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 3 english lesson on: Speech first: punctuation rules, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the Speech first punctuation and apostrophes unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.