* Quotation Marks: Direct speech is always enclosed in quotation marks. In English, we use double quotation marks (" "). Some style guides (like the Chicago Manual of Style) may use single quotation marks (' ') for quotes within quotes.
* Capitalization: The first word of a direct quote should be capitalized, even if it's not the beginning of a sentence.
Example:
She said, "I'm going to the store."
Here's why these rules are important:
* Clarity: Quotation marks clearly distinguish between the speaker's exact words and the rest of the narrative.
* Accuracy: Capitalizing the first word of a quote ensures that the speaker's original intent is preserved.
Let me know if you have any more questions about direct speech!