Note: Direct speech is also called “quoted speech” and indirect speech is also called “reported speech.”
Sometimes in writing, the need arises to convey the spoken words of the characters in our story. We have two options when doing this. We can use “direct speech” or we can use “indirect speech” when conveying the words of a speaker in a story. Read the paragraph below.
Johnny came home late one afternoon. His mother asked him why he came so late. Johnny explained that he was out playing cricket with Joel and Adam. He explained that he tried to leave for four-o-clock, but both Joel and Adam insisted that he stay for one last game. His mother seemed very upset and warned him not to make the same mistake again.
The above paragraph conveys the spoken words of the characters through “reported” or “indirect” speech. Indirect speech does not give a word-for-word transcription of the speaker’s words, and so we cannot tell what the exact words of the speaker were.
Read the paragraph below, which tells the same story.
Johnny came home late one afternoon. “Why are you so late today Johnny?” his mother asked with a curious look on her face.
Johnny stammered. “I’m so sorry mom, I was out playing cricket with Joel and Adam. When I told them it was time to go home, they insisted that I stay for one last game.”
“Don’t ever let that happen again, Johnny,” his mother warned with a stern look on her face. “You know how important it is to stick to your schedule.”
The above paragraph conveys the spoken words of the characters through “direct speech.”
Direct speech gives the reader a more accurate understanding of the conversation. Direct speech helps the readers understand the linguistic background of the characters. Understanding the linguistic background of the characters can give clues to the geographical background of the characters. For example, in the above paragraph, we may assume that both Johnny and his mom are likely to be from the United States or Canada since they speak standard American English.
Here is another example.
An Old Friend – Reported Speech
One day, while I was walking through Main Street, Georgetown, I met an old friend from childhood days. He quickly recognized me and called out to me. He reminded me of some of the times we shared. He then asked me if I had some extra change. I responded in the affirmative and gave him some money. We wished each other good luck in life and said goodbye to each other.
An Old Friend – Quoted Speech
One day, while I was walking through Main Street, Georgetown, I met an old friend from childhood days. He quickly recognized me and shouted, “Hey, countryman! How are you?”
I walked over to him and said, “You have a knowing face. Where do we know each from?”
“Don’t you remember,” he said. “I used to live in the same street with you…and I use to come to my cousin’s house next to you. We use to have some fun time together. You had some nice sugar cane plants in the front yard.”
“Oh yes!” I exclaimed. “I remember now!”
“Hey, do you have some spare change?” my old friend said suddenly.
“Sure,” I said, as I reached into my pocket and handed him a few dollars.
“Thanks bro,” he responded.
“No problem,” I said. “I have to run now man. Take care man. God bless you. Goodbye.”
“You too care too,” my friend replied. “Goodbye…until we meet again.”
Direct Speech=Quoted Speech
Direct speech “quotes” the words of the characters “exactly” as they were spoken, and for this reason, it is also called “quoted speech.” Quoted speech adds life to your writing.
As you can see in the examples above, quoted speech is marked off by “quotation marks.” Use the “double quotation marks” to mark off quoted speech.
Assignment: Write a paragraph containing the quoted speech of two persons of different nationalities. For example, one may be Jamaican and the other American.
Related: Quoted Speech Within Quoted Speech
