Direct vs Indirect Speech: Know the Difference

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Direct vs Indirect Speech: Know the Difference

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand the difference between direct speech and indirect speech.

Emphasize the importance of understanding direct and indirect speech in effective communication.

What do you already know about direct and indirect speech?

Direct Speech

Direct speech is when someone's exact words are quoted using quotation marks.

Give examples of direct speech and ask students to identify them in a text.

Indirect Speech

Indirect speech is when someone's words are reported without using quotation marks.

Provide examples of indirect speech and clarify the difference with direct speech.

Punctuation in Direct Speech

In direct speech, punctuation goes inside the quotation marks.

Use examples to show the proper placement of punctuation in direct speech.

Reporting Verbs

Reporting verbs like 'say', 'told', 'asked', etc. are used to introduce indirect speech.

Demonstrate how reporting verbs are used to introduce indirect speech and provide examples.

Tense Changes

Tense changes occur when changing from direct to indirect speech.

Explain the tense changes that occur and provide examples.

What is indirect speech?

1. A description of someone's body language
2. A direct quote from someone
3. Reporting what someone said without using their exact words
4. A transcript of a speech

Which of the following is an example of indirect speech?

1. "I feel better now," said John.
2. "I will take a nap," said John.
3. John said that he was tired.
4. "I am so tired," said John.

What is direct speech?

1. The exact words spoken by someone
2. A description of someone's tone
3. A summary of what someone said
4. A written record of a conversation

Which of the following is an example of direct speech?

1. White chocolate is no chocolate Jim said.
2. Tom thought about going out tonight.
3. "I am going to the store," said Jane.
4. Jane said that she was going to the store.

What are the most common reporting verbs used in indirect speech?

1. Run, jump, swim
2. Sing, dance, act
3. Say, tell, ask
4. Cook, bake, fry

What is the indirect speech for the direct speech - They said, “We have been waiting for you”?

1. They said that they had been waiting for me.
2. They said that they will be waiting for me.
3. They said that they have been waiting for me.
4. They say that they had been waiting for me.

What is the indirect speech for the direct speech - He said, “I will come to the party”?

1. He said that he had come to the party.
2. He said that he would come to the party.
3. He says that he will come to the party.
4. He said that he will come to the party.

What is the indirect speech for the direct speech - She said, “I am not feeling well”?

1. She said that she is not feeling well.
2. She said that she has not been feeling well.
3. She says that she was not feeling well.
4. She said that she was not feeling well.

What is the direct speech for the indirect speech: They said they would come to the meeting?

1. They said, 'We might come to the meeting.'
2. They said, 'We would come to the meeting.'
3. They said, 'We will come to the meeting.'
4. They said, 'We won't come to the meeting.'

What is the direct speech for the indirect speech: She told me that she had seen the movie before?

1. She said, 'I haven't seen the movie before.'
2. She said, 'I will see the movie soon.'
3. She said, 'I had seen the movie before.'
4. She said, 'I have seen the movie before.'

What is the direct speech for the indirect speech: He said he was going to the party?

1. He said, 'I will go to the party.'
2. He said, 'I am going to the party.'
3. He said, 'I go to the party.'
4. He said, 'I was going to the party.'

Practice Exercise

You will be asked to change sentences from direct speech into indirect speech and the other way round. 

Give ample time for students to complete the exercise and provide feedback afterwards.

Change into indirect speech:
"I will see you tomorrow," said Tom.

Change into direct speech:
David said that he had never been to Japan before.

Change into direct speech:
Emily said that she was very happy to see me.

Review

Direct speech is when someone's exact words are quoted using quotation marks, while indirect speech is when someone's words are reported without using quotation marks. Punctuation goes inside the quotation marks in direct speech, while reporting verbs are used to introduce indirect speech. Tense changes occur when changing from direct to indirect speech.

Summarize the key points of the lesson and ask students if they have any questions or clarifications.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.