1. Punctuation:
* Quotation Marks: Use quotation marks (" ") to enclose the exact words spoken.
* Example: "I'm going to the store," she said.
* Comma: Place a comma after the introductory phrase or clause that introduces the direct speech.
* Example: He asked, "What time is it?"
* Question Mark or Exclamation Point: If the direct speech is a question, use a question mark. If it's an exclamation, use an exclamation point. These marks go inside the closing quotation marks.
* Example: "Are you coming?" she asked.
* Example: "Wow, that's amazing!" he exclaimed.
* Period: If the direct speech is a statement, place the period inside the closing quotation marks.
* Example: She said, "I'm tired."
2. Capitalization:
* First Word: Capitalize the first word of a direct speech quote, even if it's mid-sentence.
* Example: He said, "I'm going to the park."
* Proper Nouns: Capitalize proper nouns within direct speech as usual.
* Example: "I saw Sarah at the mall," she said.
3. Other Considerations:
* Dialogue Tags: Use dialogue tags like "said," "asked," "shouted," "whispered" to indicate who is speaking and how.
* Example: "Can you help me?" she asked.
* Attribution: Place dialogue tags after the direct speech or within the speech itself.
* Example: "I'm hungry," he said.
* Example: "I'm hungry," he said, "Let's eat."
* Multiple Speakers: When multiple people are talking, use a new paragraph for each speaker's dialogue.
* Example:
"I'm going to the library," said Sarah.
"Can I come with you?" asked John.
Example of Direct Speech:
> "I saw a beautiful bird in the garden this morning," she said. "It was a robin, and it was singing so sweetly."
Important Note: The rules for direct speech might vary slightly depending on style guides or specific writing conventions. It's a good idea to consult a style guide (like the Chicago Manual of Style or the MLA Handbook) if you're working on a formal project.