Consolidate Skills in Punctuating Direct Speech

Punctuating dialogue correctly is quite complicated. Students typically require lots of repetition in order to master this skill. In this worksheet, students practise correctly adding commas, quotation marks, capital letters, full stops and other forms of punctuation to the sentences provided. Sometimes the quoted speech occurs at the beginning of the sentence, at other times it is found in the middle or at the end.

Lay the groundwork that will enable your students to confidently write dialogue in their narratives or other text types with this worksheet. 

An answer key is included with your download to make grading fast and easy!  

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding  

In addition to individual student work time, use this worksheet as:

• an English Group Activity
• homework assignment
• whole-class review (via smartboard.)

The worksheet comes in three differentiated versions. The reading levels vary, as does the amount of writing required. The easiest level is labelled with a circle, and the levels progress to the triangle version and then the square version. 

If you wish to modify the resource further/write your own sentences, we have a Google Slides version for you!  

Easily Download & Print

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. 

Because this resource includes an answer sheet, we recommend you print one copy of the entire file. Then make photocopies of the blank worksheet for students to complete.

Alternatively, project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class by having students record their answers in their notebooks. 

Get more handy worksheets here!

This resource was created by Jennifer Hall, a Teach Starter Collaborator.  

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities to shorten your lesson planning time:  

teaching resource Direct and Indirect Speech in Comics – Worksheet Consolidate understanding of direct and indirect speech with this set of worksheets. teaching resource Matching Direct and Indirect Speech Investigate the differences between direct and indirect speech with this match-up activity. teaching resource Direct and Indirect Speech Board Game Explore direct and indirect speech with this board game.