SECOND YEAR - SEMESTER IV PAPER II – GENERAL ENGLISH - 2342E Lesson 4.4: Direct and Indirect Speech

 SECOND YEAR - SEMESTER IV

PAPER II – GENERAL ENGLISH - 2342E

Lesson 4.4: Direct and Indirect Speech

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Overview

Direct Speech refers to quoting the exact words spoken by a person, enclosed in quotation marks.

Indirect Speech (or Reported Speech) involves paraphrasing someone’s words without quotation marks, often adjusting pronouns, tense, and other elements for grammatical correctness. This lesson focuses on the rules, uses, and transformation of sentences between direct and indirect speech.

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Two-Mark Questions and Answers

1. What is direct speech?

Ans: Direct speech quotes the exact words of a speaker, enclosed in quotation marks.

2. What is indirect speech?

Ans: Indirect speech reports what someone said without using quotation marks, often paraphrased.

3. What punctuation is used in direct speech?

Ans: Quotation marks are used in direct speech.

4. Give an example of direct speech.

Ans: He said, "I am reading a book."

5. Give an example of indirect speech.

Ans: He said that he was reading a book.

6. How does the tense change in indirect speech?

Ans: The tense shifts back one step in indirect speech, unless the reporting verb is in the present tense.

7. What happens to pronouns in indirect speech?

Ans: Pronouns are changed to match the perspective of the reporter.

8. Which words are replaced in indirect speech?

Ans: Words like this become that, and now becomes then.

9. What is the reporting verb in direct and indirect speech?

Ans: The reporting verb introduces the speech, such as said, asked, or replied.

10. What is the importance of direct and indirect speech in communication?

Ans: They allow flexibility in quoting or summarizing spoken or written words.

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Five-Mark Questions and Answers

1. Explain the difference between direct and indirect speech with examples.

Ans:

Direct speech quotes exact words with quotation marks. Example:

o Direct: He said, "I am happy."

o Indirect: He said that he was happy.

Indirect speech paraphrases the words, adjusting tense, pronouns, and adverbs to fit the context of the reporter.

2. List and explain the rules for converting direct speech into indirect speech.

Ans:

o Change the tense: Shift back one step (e.g., present to past).

o Change pronouns: Adapt to the perspective of the speaker or listener.

o Adjust time and place expressions: Now becomes then, here becomes there, etc.

Example:

o Direct: She said, "I am cooking."

o Indirect: She said that she was cooking.

3. What are the common changes in time and place expressions in indirect speech?

Ans:

o Today → That day

o Yesterday → The previous day

o Now → Then

o Here → There

Example:

o Direct: He said, "I will come here tomorrow."

o Indirect: He said that he would go there the next day.

4. How is a question converted from direct to indirect speech?

Ans:

o Use reporting verbs like asked, inquired, or wanted to know.

o Change the question format to a statement.

Example:

o Direct: She asked, "Where are you going?"

o Indirect: She asked where I was going.

5. What are the exceptions to tense changes in indirect speech?

Ans:

o If the reporting verb is in the present tense (e.g., says, has said), the tense does not change.

o Universal truths remain in the present tense.

Example:

o Direct: The teacher said, "The sun rises in the east."

o Indirect: The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.

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Essay Question and Answer

Essay Question:

Discuss the rules and importance of direct and indirect speech in communication, with examples.

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Introduction

Direct and indirect speech are essential tools for reporting and conveying spoken or written messages. They allow flexibility in quoting exact words or summarizing someone’s ideas. Understanding the rules for converting between the two forms is vital for effective communication in spoken and written English.

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Subtitles and Explanations

1. Direct Speech

Direct speech involves quoting the speaker’s exact words, enclosed in quotation marks. It is often used for emphasis or when precision is required. Example:

o "I am tired," he said.

2. Indirect Speech

Indirect speech summarizes or paraphrases what someone said, making it suitable for reports or formal communication. Example:

o He said that he was tired.

3. Rules for Converting Direct to Indirect Speech

o Change the tense (unless the reporting verb is in the present tense).

o Adjust pronouns to match the perspective of the reporter.

o Modify time and place expressions as needed. Example:

 Direct: She said, "I will visit tomorrow."

 Indirect: She said that she would visit the next day.

4. Reporting Questions

Questions in indirect speech are restructured as statements. Example:

o Direct: "Why are you late?" she asked.

o Indirect: She asked why I was late.

5. Reporting Commands and Requests

Use reporting verbs like told or asked, followed by an infinitive. Example:

o Direct: He said, "Close the door."

o Indirect: He told me to close the door.

6. Universal Truths in Indirect Speech

Universal truths remain in the present tense even in indirect speech. Example:

o Direct: The teacher said, "Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius."

o Indirect: The teacher said that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

7. Importance in Communication

o Adds flexibility in reporting speech.

o Ensures clarity in formal and informal contexts.

o Helps summarize lengthy statements effectively.

8. Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

o Forgetting to change tense or pronouns.

o Using incorrect reporting verbs.

o Mixing up time and place expressions.

9. Practical Applications

Direct and indirect speech are used in journalism, academic writing, storytelling, and everyday communication to relay information accurately.

10. Examples of Transformations

o Direct: "I am working," she said.

o Indirect: She said that she was working.

o Direct: "What are you doing?" he asked.

o Indirect: He asked what I was doing.

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Conclusion

Direct and indirect speech are indispensable tools in communication, offering precision and flexibility in reporting. By mastering the rules for their transformation, speakers and writers can convey messages effectively and adapt their style to suit various contexts.