• Direct Speech

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• Direct speech shows we are using the exact words of a speaker.  Always use quotation marks (“ ”) with direct speech. Always use an introductory verb and identify the speaker with direct speech. The most common introductory verb is said.

  
  

  speaker + introductory verb, + "direct speech."

  -The mechanic said, "The car needs an oil change next month."

  
  

  Direct speech can also go before the introductory verb. 

  
  

  "Direct speech," + introductory verb + speaker. 

  -“The car needs an oil change next month,”said the mechanic.

  
  

  Remember! Always use a comma (,) before or after an introductory verb, and always capitalize the first letter of the direct speech.

• "I have made this dish many times before," said the chef. The plumber said, "I can fix your kitchen sink tomorrow." "The hairdresser cut my hair too short," she said.*

• *Be careful! When the speaker is a pronoun, it always goes before the introductory verb.

 

Source : Alison