Lesson 5 - The Indirect Quotation

In Lesson 4 you will learn what an indirect quotation is and how indirect quotations should be written.

In an indirect quotation, ideas are written that have been expressed by someone. The exact words expressing that idea are not written, so quotation marks are not used.

Examples:

Direct quotation:

"Captain Fleery," Lina said when she got to work, "would you have time to come home with me later on today?

Indirect quotation:

When Lina got to work she asked if Captain Fleery would have time to come home with her later on that day.

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Direct quotation:

"That's the way they wrote in the old days," said Captain Fleery.

Indirect quotation:

Captain Fleery told Lina that they wrote that way in the old days.

Notice:

·         No quotation marks are used when writing indirect quotations.

·         No commas are used between the source of the idea and the idea in the indirect quotation.

·         A slight change in words may be needed to change a direct quotation into an indirect quotation.

·         Often the words if and that are used when changing direct quotations to indirect quotations. Circle these words in the examples above.

Correct the following sentences. Use all punctuation and capitalization necessary.

1.      what was pineapple asked lina

2.      it was yellow and sweet said granny with a dreamy look in her eyes

3.      granny said that she had pineapple four times before they ran out

4.      lizzie can you meet me after youre through with work lina asked

5.      sure said lizzie as they walked

6.      lizzie said that her wrist was killing her from writing all day

7.      you cant have fifteen cans of corn he said

8.      well i said thats why there arent so many left today

9.      i never get to see that one said lizzie

10.  oh the mayor said of course

11.  lina said that the mayor is so mean that she hated him

12.  flarlo batten said that the word was illegible

Directions:  Rewrite the following sentences. Turn these direct quotations into indirect quotations.

1.      Lizzie said, "I can't tell you. It's a secret."

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2.      "Oh," said Lina, "then you shouldn't have mentioned it at all."

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3.      "Well, I like my job," Lina said.

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4.      "I wanted to talk to you about what I found yesterday," Lina explained to Lizzie.

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Directions:  Rewrite the following sentences. Turn these indirect quotations into direct quotations.

1.      Lizzie said that Myla Bone has beautiful handwriting.

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2.      The message said that she couldn't find baby drink at the store.

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3.      Lina asked Granny if a message had come for her.

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4.      Lizzie asked Lina if the message was torn up.

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----------Key----------

 

1.      “What was pineapple?” asked Lina.

2.      “It was yellow and sweet,” said Granny with a dreamy look in her eyes.

3.      Granny said that she had pineapple four times before they ran out.

4.      “Lizzie, can you meet me after you’re through with work?” Lina asked.

5.      “Sure,” said Lizzie as they walked.

6.      Lizzie said that her wrist was killing her from writing all day.

7.      “You can’t have fifteen cans of corn,” he said.

8.      “Well,” I said, “that’s why there aren’t so many left today.”

9.      “I never get to see that one,” said Lizzie.

10.  “Oh,” the mayor said, “of course.”

11.  Lina said that the mayor is so mean that she hated him.

12.  Flarlo Batten said that the word was illegible.

Answers may vary.

1.      Lizza said that she couldn’t tell you because it was a secret.

2.      Lina said that you shouldn't have mentioned it at all.

3.      Lina said that she liked her job.

4.      Lina explained to Lizzie that she wanted to talk to her about what she found yesterday.

 

 

Answers may vary.

1.      Lizza said, “Myla Bone has beautiful handwriting.”

2.      The message said, “I can't find baby drink at the store.”

3.      Lina asked, “Granny, has a message come for me?”

4.      Lizza asked Lina, “Was the message torn up?”