Using direct speech to quote words and ideas
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Uses of direct speech | page 3 of 4 |
In informal conversation where people tell stories, direct speech is used mainly to make the stories more lively and dramatic.
In a conversation, both the speaker and listener know that a direct quotation often
does not represent someone's actual words 
. Despite this, a lot of direct
quotations may be used because they add interest to the narrative and make it more
immediate. Through them, the listener gets a flavour of how the events that were described
actually happened:.
There is a story that somebody went down to the marvellous House of Commons barber, and the barber said to him, "How would you like your hair cut sir?" And the man boldly replied, "Quietly." (Bank of English)
Notice that here, the use of direct speech, together with the reporting signal boldly replied, adds interest and colour to the story.
Introduction
Quoting the actual words used in conversation
