How to structure and punctuate direct speech in fiction

In fiction writing, it is really important for readers to understand which character is saying what. In order to make this clear, writers use direct speech:

• Direct speech is any word spoken by a character. It can be used to help develop the characters and plot

• Direct speech should sit inside speech marks

• Direct speech must be carefully structured and punctuated to clearly separate it from the rest of the text

Punctuation is used in direct speech to separate spoken words, or dialogue, from the rest of a story. The words spoken by a character sit inside speech marks:

“Did you hear that noise?” whispered Sam.

Speech marks are sometimes known as inverted commas or quotation marks.

Some writers use double speech marks and some use single speech marks. You can use either type as long as you are consistent - it’s important not to swap between the two.

"Hello" said Dad.
or
'Sit down!' exclaimed the teacher.

Remember to open - and close - the speech marks at the start - and end - of the direct speech:

“I think there is something moving in the bushes,” George said.

Direct speech is carefully structured to help the reader follow the conversation. Every time there is a new speaker in the conversation, a new line is used.

Each new section of dialogue is like beginning a new paragraph, so in a printed novel you will see that each new line is also indented - this is when a line starts further in from the margin. Each new line of direct speech should also start with a capital letter:

“I think there is something moving in the bushes,” George said, looking carefully in the direction from which the sound came.

“I can’t see anything,” said Molly.

“Perhaps we should turn our torches on,” whispered George.

“Okay, but let’s be really quiet.”

A reporting clause after the direct speech tells the reader who is speaking. The last line above misses the reporting clause because the reader can see that the character Molly is replying to George. Once a conversation gets started, it’s fine to drop the reporting clauses.

Each section of direct speech should end with a punctuation mark. If there is no reporting clause then this is likely to be a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark:

“Listen! I definitely heard something that time!”

Notice that these punctuation marks are included inside the speech marks. If there is a reporting clause, then there is often a comma before the final speech marks:

“I think we should go inside now,” said Molly.

There is usually a full stop after the reporting clause. This may come later if the sentence continues:

“I think we should go inside now,” said Molly as she moved towards the house.

Sometimes the reporting clause is added in the middle of the direct speech:

“I think we should go inside now,” said Molly. “I just saw the lights come on.”

"If we go inside," George said, "we'll have to meet them!"

• In these examples, the punctuation still goes inside the speech marks of the first section.

• A punctuation mark is then used after the reporting clause, before the next set of speech marks. If you've put the reporting clause in the middle of a sentence of speech then this should be a comma. If it's between two sentences of speech then it should be a full stop. You can see both examples above.

• The second section of direct speech ends with the punctuation mark inside the speech marks.

Extract from Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian

Click on the text to find out more about the direct speech in this extract.

‘YES,’ said Tom bluntly, on opening the front door.‘What d’you want?’
A harassed middle- aged woman in a green coat and felthat stood on his step. He glanced at the armband on hersleeve. She gave him an awkward smile.
‘I’m the billeting officer for this area,’ she began.
‘Oh yes, and what’s that got to do wi’ me?’
She flushed slightly. ‘Well, Mr, Mr . . .’
‘Oakley. Thomas Oakley.’
‘Ah, thank you, Mr Oakley.’ She paused and took a deep
breath. ‘Mr Oakley, with the declaration of warimminent …’
Tom waved his hand. ‘I knows all that. Git to the point.What d’you want?’ He noticed a small boy at her side.
‘It’s him I’ve come about,’ she said. ‘I’m on my way toyour village hall with the others.’

The following sentences have their speech marks in the right places but need additional punctuation. Can you use the clues in the reporting clauses and capital letters to add correct punctuation in the spaces where it is needed?