Speech marks "" show us when somebody is talking. There are exceptions to the rule, namely plays, but most of the time these are good indicators to aid our reading.

‘Said’ is a common word used to show people are speaking in stories. Think of 8 different, more interesting words and write them in your books.

Choose 5 of the words you have written for task one and put them into sentences with speech in them to show me you can use them in context.

Copy these sentences into your books. Put the speech marks in the correct places.

1. Stand there! Shouted Mr Cockcroft.
2. Phil cried, watch out for that door!
3. Please don’t hurt me, begged the little man.
4. The crowd chanted United! United!
5. Run! The house is on fire! Screamed Creole.
6. Tim asked, what’s the date please?
7. Is it nearly dinner? Asked Anna. I’m starving.
8. You’re early, said the waiter. Your table isn’t quite ready.
9. I can’t play out tonight, explained Rachel. I’ve got too much homework to do.
10. It’s no use crying, snapped Tony. You’ll only make me angrier.

Play scripts are different. They don’t use speech marks, but obviously, people are speaking in a play. However, it is easy to change plays into stories by using speech marks and the text given. Change this short passage from a play into a story using speech marks where necessary. Try and add parts in to make it interesting to read.

Mr P : Should we set the children more homework this weekend?

Mr C : You’re so cruel! It’s the weekend, let them play. Chill out man!

Mr P : Me, cruel! Says one. Chill out, what kind of a phrase is that for a teacher?

Mr C : Give them a break. We’ll set the work during the week.

Mr P : You’re going soft in your old age you know.

Mr C : Soft, me! And we’ll have less of the old age thank you!

Read this passage carefully. You have to copy the passage into your books, but make sure you put new speakers on new lines as I’ve forgotten!

"Are you going to the football match Mike" asked Rich. "No, it’s going to be rubbish." Replied Mike. "Carlisle are going to thrash Crewe!" "In your dreams Mike. Have you seen the Carlisle team? My Grannies better than most of them!" Laughed Rich. "Ho, ho. I love a man with a sense of humour!"said Mike. "We have a new striker, Cockcroft he’s called. He’s a demon penalty taker!" "You’ll need more than a new striker to save you,"cried Rich."You haven’t got a hope. We’re unbeatable!"