New
New
Speech three ways
I can accurately punctuate a speech first, speech second or speech interrupted sentence.
Lesson 7 of 8
New
New
- Year 6
Speech three ways
I can accurately punctuate a speech first, speech second or speech interrupted sentence.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Direct speech is the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text.
- Inverted commas are the punctuation that signal direct speech to the reader.
- A speech first sentence begins with a character's spoken words.
- A speech second sentence begins with the reporting clause followed by a character's spoken words.
- A speech interrupted sentence begins with a character's spoken words and they are interrupted by the reporting clause.
Keywords
Direct speech - the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text
Inverted commas - a pair of punctuation marks that signal direct speech to the reader
Speech sentence - a sentence that includes direct speech
Reporting clause - a clause that tells the reader who said the speech sentence and how
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle to choose a position in which to interrupt a speech sentence.
Encourage pupils to think of the complete sentence they want to say and interrupt it at a comma.
Model using the full range of features in reporting clauses - synonyms for 'said', adverbs, actions, adverbial clauses, non-finite (-ing) clauses and others.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which punctuation marks have been used in the following detailed list? 'I bought a number of items: soft, white bread; thick, creamy butter; and fresh, brown eggs.'
Which punctuation marks have been used in the following detailed list? 'I bought a number of items: soft, white bread; thick, creamy butter; and fresh, brown eggs.'
exclamation marks
Q2.When does a list need semi-colons?
When does a list need semi-colons?
when the items are very long
when the items don't contain commas
when the items contain adjectives
Q3.Which of these items might have come from a detailed list that uses semi-colons?
Which of these items might have come from a detailed list that uses semi-colons?
bread
Q4.For what reasons are there commas in the following list? 'She saw incredible creatures: tiny ants, scuttling around; huge, hairy insects; and small, fast-moving bats.'
For what reasons are there commas in the following list? 'She saw incredible creatures: tiny ants, scuttling around; huge, hairy insects; and small, fast-moving bats.'
to demarcate a relative clause
to introduce the list
Q5.What are the problems in the following detailed list? 'He saw some beautiful creatures: tiny, bright birds, flying around, big, lumbering wombats, and enormous, colourful butterflies.'
What are the problems in the following detailed list? 'He saw some beautiful creatures: tiny, bright birds, flying around, big, lumbering wombats, and enormous, colourful butterflies.'
there are no commas
it is clear what the list items are
Q6.Which language features are used in the following list item? 'a vast, snow-covered iceberg, which bobbed in the ocean'
Which language features are used in the following list item? 'a vast, snow-covered iceberg, which bobbed in the ocean'
a non-finite (-ing) clause
an adverbial clause
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the purpose of a reporting clause?
What is the purpose of a reporting clause?
to say what they said
Q2.Which of the following can we see in this reporting clause? 'muttered Alex coldly, pushing his hair away from his eyes'
Which of the following can we see in this reporting clause? 'muttered Alex coldly, pushing his hair away from his eyes'
an adverbial clause
Q3.Which speech second sentence is punctuated correctly?
Which speech second sentence is punctuated correctly?
The woman enquired angrily, "Is no-one working here today"?
The woman enquired angrily "Is no-one working here today?"
Q4.Which speech first sentence is punctuated correctly?
Which speech first sentence is punctuated correctly?
"What's the problem" Aisha demanded crossly with her arms folded.
"what's the problem?" Aisha demanded crossly with her arms folded.
Q5.Match the type of speech sentence to the example.
Match the type of speech sentence to the example.
Q6.Which speech interrupted sentence is punctuated correctly?
Which speech interrupted sentence is punctuated correctly?
"You have to come" whined Jacob, "or I'll be the only one there!"
"You have to come," whined Jacob, "Or I'll be the only one there!"
