Free printable worksheet · About 20 minutes · Ages 9 to 11

Dialogue: punctuate and improve

Punctuate speech correctly, then make it work harder with better speech verbs and action between the lines. Print it from this page or download the PDF.

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Academy11+

Free 11+ creative writing worksheet

Dialogue: punctuate and improve

About 20 minutes

Name

Date

Part A: write each sentence again with the correct punctuation. Part B: find stronger speech verbs. Part C: write a short conversation that shows us something about the two characters.

The rules

Spoken words go inside inverted commas, with the punctuation that ends the speech inside them too.

'We're late,' said Mum. Mum said, 'We're late.' 'Run!' yelled Kit. 'Are you sure?' asked Lou.

Start a new line every time a new person speaks.

Part A: punctuate the speech

1.where are you going asked Grandpa
2.I found it shouted Zara it was under the sofa
3.Ben whispered I think someone is following us
4.don't move said the guard or you'll wake the dragon

Part B: better than 'said'

Write two speech verbs for each way of speaking.

When someone is...	Speech verb 1	Speech verb 2
angry
frightened
happy
asking a question
speaking quietly

Part C: write a conversation

Two characters, six to eight lines. Add an action between some lines, e.g. 'Kit kicked a stone.'

Tips for parents

Read a page of a favourite book aloud and point out how every new speaker starts a new line.
'Said' isn't banned: it's invisible to readers, which is useful. The aim is to choose a stronger verb when it adds something.
In a 45-minute story, a few lines of dialogue are plenty. Long conversations eat time and slow the plot.

Written the story? Get feedback on it

Once the plan becomes a story, get it marked: your child writes to exam-style prompts, typed or handwritten, and you get feedback on what went well and what to improve. There's a free 7-day trial.

Get feedback on a story

Enter the writing competition

Put the practice to use: a free writing competition every month for Years 4, 5 and 6, with one prompt, feedback on every entry and winners featured on the site.

See the writing competition

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See all 10 creative writing worksheets · Download this sheet (PDF)

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Questions parents ask

How do you punctuate speech in the 11+?

Put the spoken words inside inverted commas (speech marks), start the speech with a capital letter, and put a comma, full stop, question mark or exclamation mark before the closing inverted comma. Start a new line each time a different person speaks.

Should 11+ stories include dialogue?

A little dialogue helps: it brings characters to life and shows you can punctuate it. Keep it short and purposeful, so every line shows character or moves the story on.

Single or double inverted commas?

Either is correct in British English, as long as your child is consistent. Many UK books use single inverted commas; schools often teach double. Both are fine in the exam.