speech marks definition examples

What are speech marks? Examples and how to use them

In this guide, learn what speech marks are and take a look at some examples!

Author Eliana Sk

Published April 14, 2022

Author Jane Doe

Learn what speech marks are and take a look at some examples!

Author Eliana Doe

• Key takeaways
• Speech marks are special punctuation marks that show the exact words someone has spoken
• Speech marks look like this: “ ”
• Knowing the difference between direct speech and indirect speech can help us know how to use speech marks

Table of contents

What are speech marks?

Where are speech marks used, how to use speech marks.

From novels to news reports, speech marks are used in all sorts of places! In this guide, we take a look at what they are, where they’re used and some handy rules to keep in mind when using them.

Speech marks are special punctuation marks that show the exact words someone has spoken.

They’re also known as quotation marks and inverted commas, and they always appear in pairs at the beginning and end of what was said.

This is what they look like:  “ ”

And here’s an example of some speech marks in action:

“The words that appear between speech marks are the exact words that someone has said,” said the teacher.

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You can find speech marks everywhere. They’re common in stories, news articles, poetry and essays. By showing when someone is speaking, speech marks can help make a text more lively and easier to read.

In a story, speech marks may show which of the characters is speaking. For example, in a children’s book you may read:

“We always eat in the garden,” said Markus.

In a news article, speech marks can be used to show a statement made by an expert. For example:

Economists say that “the increase in production will help the job market to grow”.

Explore speech marks with DoodleEnglish

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When do children learn about speech marks?

Children usually start learning about speech marks around the age of 7.

Before they learn about speech marks, they’ll first be taught about other forms of punctuation, including full stops, commas, exclamation marks and question marks.

Being able to tell the difference between direct and indirect speech will help children to effectively use speech marks.

• Direct speech:  shows the exact words that were spoken by a person or character. Speech marks are used at the beginning and end of direct speech to represent what someone has said.
• Indirect speech:  shows what someone said without using their exact words. Speech marks aren’t used in these cases.
• A  reporting clause  will let a reader know who said the direct speech and how they said it.

You should always separate direct speech from the reporting clause by a comma.

This may sound a little complicated, but if we look at an example it will all be clearer.

Anne said, “It’s snowing!”

In this example, ‘Anne said’ is the reporting clause, as it lets us know that it was Anne who spoke. This clause is separated by a comma from Anne’s direct speech, which is represented by the text between the speech marks (“It’s snowing!”).

If you’re writing a conversation between multiple people, reporting clauses can also help to clarify who’s speaking, and when.

Speech mark examples

Let’s take a look at some examples of speech marks in actions. These will help us better understand the different uses of speech marks.

The teacher said that Anthony’s story was “exceptionally written” and that’s why she read it to the whole class.

In this example, a fragmented part of the teacher’s statement is quoted. This is why the statement isn’t capitalised and has no punctuation before or within the quotation marks.

Markus laughed, “Did you see how high I jumped?”

“I know! It was amazing!” Adriana agreed.

In this example, two different people are speaking. The reporting clauses (‘Marcus laughed’ and ‘Adriana agreed’) shows us who is speaking. Each speaker is also placed on a new line to help the reader see that a new person has started speaking.

“It’s amazing,” William exclaimed, “there are bubbles everywhere!”

In this example, the statement made by William is separated by the reporting clause. This is a fun way of adding some character to your writing when using speech marks.

“Polar bears are my favourite real animals,” Mario said. He then told us about the mythical animals he likes more than polar bears.

This is an interesting example because only part of what Mario said is directly written down. The rest is summarised in indirect speech, and this is why there are no speech marks in the second sentence.

How to use speech marks when writing

If you’d like to quote a phrase or statement, using speech marks will show the reader that these aren’t your original words.

Speech marks are also a great way to give emphasis to certain phrases.

If you’re writing stories, they’ll also help to separate when the different characters are talking. Keep in mind that speech is a faster way of moving a story forward, so be careful about how much you use them!

General rules for using speech marks

There are a few helpful rules to keep in mind when using speech marks:

• Sentences made by different characters or people will need to be in separate lines
• If you’re using a person’s full statement, the punctuation of the sentence will need to be within the quotation marks. This includes full stops, exclamation marks, and question marks.
• If a reporting clause is before the speech marks, you’ll need a comma to separate the two. This comma will be before the speech marks.
• If a reporting clause comes in the middle of two quoted sentence parts, you’ll need a comma at the end of the speech marks in the first part and at the beginning of the speech marks in the second part of the sentence

Final thoughts

Using speech marks is relatively easy once you realise they’re only used to express what someone said. When writing an essay or story, speech marks can also help to make your writing more interesting and lively!

To learn even more about speech marks, why not download the  DoodleEnglish app ?

It’s filled with interactive exercises exploring the topic, making it the perfect way to put your learning into practice.

Best of all, it’s designed to be used for just 10 minutes a day — and you can try it for absolutely free!

FAQs about speech marks

Speech marks are punctuation marks that show the words someone has spoken. They’re also known as quotation marks and inverted commas.

If we look at an example: Peter said, “It’s raining!”

‘Peter said’ is a reporting clause, as it lets us know that it was Peter who spoke.

This clause is separated by a comma from Peter’s direct speech, which is represented by the text between the speech marks (“It’s raining!”).

You should use speech marks each time someone speaks.

Speech marks are also called ‘inverted commas’.

You should use inverted commas whenever someone speaks in your writing.

Single speech marks (‘ ‘) can be used to replace double quotation marks (” “) when they’re inside of double quotation marks.

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Quotation Marks

1. what are quotation marks.

Quotations marks (“”) are parts of punctuation that we use to identify quotations, direct speech, and to highlight special words and phrases. We also use them for titles of certain things, and to point out dialogue in works of fiction. Sometimes, they are called “quotations” or “speech marks.” Either way, they are a very important type of punctuation!

This article will discuss the way we use quotation marks in American English—but, it’s important to note that in British English and other languages, quotation marks follow different rules.

2. Examples of Quotations Marks

Quotation marks are very useful. Here are some ways you see them every day:

• “I love cookies,” said Sam .       Identifying speech
• I think “selfies” are the most popular kind of photo .       Highlighting a word
• The music magazine said “air guitar is the next big thing in rock .”       Sharing a quotation
• “The Art of Cookies” is my favorite essay .       Showing a title

3. Ways to Use Quotation Marks

We use quotation marks for all kinds of things in writing and literature, like sharing quotations, adding emphasis, expressing dialogue, and identifying titles.

a. Quotations

One of the most important ways we use quotations is to “quote” someone’s or something’s words. To quote something means to repeat exactly what was said. For example, we use it to show direct speech, meaning exactly what someone said:

• The policeman said “STOP RIGHT THERE!”
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s began his speech by saying“I have a dream.”

This same idea can also show quotations from pieces of literature, television, radio, and so on:

• The newspaper article stated, “Hurricane Silly is the worst that has been seen in years.”
• The most famous line from Shakespeare’s plays is “To be, or not to be: that is the question.”

b. Highlighting a Word or Phrase

Quotations can help us separate a word or phrase from the rest of a sentence, showing that something has an important meaning, like this:

• The fire department issued a “red alert” in the area for the fast-moving forest fire.
• The hotel room had a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.

Here, “red alert” is in quotations because it highlights specific, important term. Likewise, “Do Not Disturb” shows that the sign had an important message.

Next, quotation marks can show that the word inside the marks has a special meaning besides its normal definition, like slang. The marks tell the reader that the word is being talked about, not used as part of the sentence. This helps share a new or unusual idea that some people might not understand:

• People try to get as many “likes” as possible when they post a photo on Instagram. Taking pictures of yourself “planking” was once a popular social media trend. These days,“selfies” are all that I see on Instagram.

These quotation marks tell us that “likes” is actually a special term for something you can do on Instagram. Without quotation marks, “likes” wouldn’t make sense here. Likewise, “planking” and “selfies” are words used to show a trend.

What’s more, quotation marks are used to apply a normal idea to something new, like this:

• Burger King now has chicken “fries” on their menu.
• Vegetarians often eat “chicken nuggets” made from tofu.

Here, both sets of quotation marks above highlight an idea that we can picture in our heads. Although fries aren’t made from chicken, putting “fries” in quotations shows us that the chicken looks like french fries, not that there are real french fries. Likewise, “chicken nuggets” show that the food is similar to chicken nuggets, but made from soy.

c. Dialogue

Quotation marks can also show dialogue (speaking) of a person or character. It’s different than showing direct quotations, because dialogue shows a conversation that the reader can witness. So, that makes quotation marks very important for fiction. Here’s an example:

• “Where are you going, Sally?” asked Sam. “I have to go to the market to buy flour for my cookies,” she replied. “Well, make sure you get some milk to eat with those cookies!”

Without quotation marks, it would be very difficult to ever know when a character was speaking!

d. For Titles

Finally, another important way we use quotation marks is to show titles of things. Here’s a list of things that should be inside quotation marks:

• Short works like essays, poems, and short stories
• Short plays
• Other works of literature that are shorter than a full book
• Sections from longer works or books (like chapter titles)
• Newspaper, magazine, and online articles
• Episodes of TV

Furthermore, you should NOT use quotation marks for book titles, movie titles, or any longer work that has smaller sections in it—for these things, we use italics or underlining.

4. How to Use Quotation Marks with other Punctuation

When it comes to punctuation, there are a lot of little rules for quotation marks to follow, and it can get confusing. Here are some rules to help you (for American English!):

Periods and commas go INSIDE quotation marks, even when they aren’t part of a direct quote or title:

• The article said “purple hair is stupid,” and I thought that was very rude.
• My favorite song is “Popcorn Pop,” which is from the album Carnival Time.
• The title of the essay is “How to Make Cotton Candy.”

Colons, semicolons, and long dashes go OUTSIDE quotation marks:

• You can hear two instruments in the song “Popcorn Pop”: drums and guitar.
• My friend always said it wasn’t danger to take “selfies”—until she fell down the stairs!
• I used to love the “Hokey Pokey”; it was a big part of my childhood.

Exclamation marks and question marks can be tricky. If one is part of a direct quote or title, then they go inside the quotation marks, like this:

• Sam asked “can I have a cookie?” before they were even finished.
• “You can’t have any cookies!” yelled Sally.

But, if it’s not part of a direct quote, title, or phrase, then the exclamation mark or question mark goes outside of the quotation marks:

• Is your favorite song “Popcorn Pop”?
• I absolutely love the “Hokey Pokey”!
• Did you just take a “selfie”?

As mentioned earlier, the rules for quotation marks are different in different places. For example, in British English, periods and commas go outside of quotation marks, so don’t be surprised if you see that in a work of British literature, or from a British newspaper.

5. How to Avoid Mistakes

Quotation marks are common, and so are mistakes involving them! For instance, they always come in sets—don’t make the mistake of just using one set and forgetting the other!

Actually, the biggest problems come when you use them with other punctuation marks, as outlined in the last section. But, if you use them to single out words or phrases that don’t need them, you can end up with some pretty silly or confusing sentences!

Using quotation marks to add stress or importance to a word is an all too common mistake. People often think they should use it to add stress to a word or make it stand out, like this:

• Employees “must” wash their hands before returning to work.

As you can see, using quotation marks is not a good way to make “must” stand out! In this way, it makes it seem that has a different meaning other than it’s true meaning. That may make people think that they don’t actually need to wash their hands!

When you need to add stress to a word, the best choice is usually to use bold or CAPITAL letters, or underline the words you mean to emphasize, like this:

• Employees MUST wash their hands before returning to work.

Now the meaning of this note is very clear! Here’s another example:

• “Do Not” enter!       The meaning here is confusing . DO NOT enter!       Clear meaning

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What are speech marks?

Inverted commas (also known as speech marks and quotation marks ) are punctuation marks that show us where direct speech starts and ends.

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Speech marks are not used if we are writing indirect (reported) speech.

How are speech marks used?

Speech marks or inverted commas are used to show what the words actually spoken by a person or character are. Direct speech is separated from a reporting clause by a comma . For example:

As demonstrated in the example, the words spoken directly ( Although I wish they wouldn't my children fight all the time ) are marked by speech marks. The words spoken have also been separated by a reporting clause ( she sighed ).

When two or more people are having a conversation, a new line for each speaker is used , as this clarifies who is speaking. For example:

How are speech marks taught in the primary classroom?

When speech marks are first introduced in Year 3 , there is a lot of use of drama and reading class texts aloud. Children will identify direct speech within texts they are reading as a class. 

In Year 4 there is more focus on multiple speakers.

In Years 5 and 6, children will be taught and expected to use the correct punctuation for speech, with multiple speakers and reporting clauses breaking up the direct speech.

When are speech marks taught in the primary-school classroom?

Inverted commas are first taught in Lower Key Stage 2, in Year 3. As punctuating direct speech is a fundamental primary-school writing objective , the use of speech marks will be reinforced in every subsequent year group.

In Year 3, teachers will focus more on simply punctuating the spoken words with inverted commas to indicate the specific words that have been spoken. In Year 4, this progresses onto using commas to separate the reported clause from the direct speech, and then using other forms of punctuation other than full stops within the inverted commas. For example:

In Years 3 and 4, children learn that the reporting clause can be positioned before or after the direct speech in the sentence.

During the SATs Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation test taken at the end of Year 6, children are also likely to be asked a question about inverted commas and/or the correct punctuation needed to show speech. For example:

By the end of Year 6, when a child’s writing is assessed, they will be expected to use speech to move the action in their stories forward and to punctuate correctly. 

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Quotation Marks - Definition, Types, Rules and Examples

Are you a person who often uses air quotes to quote something when you speak? Well, you would probably know how to use quotation marks in writing as well. Even if you do not know much about the use of quotation marks, there is nothing to worry about. In this article, you will learn all that you need to know about quotation marks, its types, functions and usage. You can also go through the number of examples given for an in-depth understanding of the same.

Table of Contents

What are quotation marks – meaning and definition, single quotation marks, double quotation marks, using quotation marks in sentences – points to remember, check your understanding of the usage of quotation marks in sentences, frequently asked questions on the usage of quotation marks.

Quotation marks, also called speech marks, are one of the punctuation marks in English which can be used to quote the exact words of the speaker in a sentence and also to indicate names, titles and so on. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines ‘quotation marks’ as “a pair of marks (‘  ’) or ( “ ” ) placed around a word, sentence, etc. to show that it is what somebody said or wrote, that it is a title or that you are using it in an unusual way.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, quotation marks are defined as “the symbols “ ” or ‘ ’ that are put around a word or phrase to show that someone else has written or said it”.

The Collins Dictionary gives a much clearer definition of the usage of quotation marks in a sentence. According to them, “either of the punctuation marks used to begin or end a quotation, respectively “ and ” or ‘ and ’ in English printing and writing. When double marks are used, single marks indicate a quotation within a quotation, and vice versa.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary also gives a hint of the function of quotation marks in the following words, “one of a pair of punctuation marks ” ” or ‘ ‘ used chiefly to indicate the beginning and the end of a quotation in which the exact phraseology of another or of a text is directly cited.”

Types of Quotation Marks with Examples

In the English language , there are two types of quotation marks namely,

• Single quotation marks and
• Double quotation marks

They vary in their usage and perform different functions in a sentence. Take a look at how these two types of quotation marks are used in sentences.

Single quotation marks, also called ‘inverted commas’, are mainly used to quote names, book titles, movie titles, characters and specific terms that are given more importance than usual.

For example:

• We finally found ‘the coat’.

In the above example, ‘the coat’ is placed within single quotation marks as it specifically refers to a particular coat that they should have been looking for a long time.

• Our English teacher asked us to read ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ before Friday.
• My brother and his friend, Philip went to watch ‘Don’ at the new theatre.
• The acronym, ‘WFH’, meaning ‘Work from Home’, has been used very frequently by youngsters and adults alike.

In the above examples, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, ‘Don’ and ‘WFH’ are placed within single quotation marks as they are the title of a play, the name of a movie and a particular acronym,

Double quotation marks are chiefly used to quote something someone said in their exact words, as in direct speech. They can also be used to cite something that is written or said by another person or author.

• “I had a dream”, said Martin Luther King. Likewise, I do too.
• Nick said, “I enjoy watching musicals.”

In the above sentences, you will see that “I had a dream” is a particular citation and so placed within double quotation marks. The second sentence quotes the exact words of Nick; therefore, they are placed within double quotation marks.

The first and most fundamental rule to be followed when using quotation marks is that you have to close the quotation marks. You can never leave quotation marks open as they are always used in pairs. Also, since quotation marks are meant to quote specific terms, words, sentences and paragraphs, you have to mark the end of whatever is quoted.

There is yet another point that you have to bear in mind. Never use quotation marks unnecessarily. Any punctuation mark, for that matter, has to be used only where it has to be used; otherwise, it would make the sentence look flawed and also alter the meaning of the sentence.

Use appropriate quotation marks wherever necessary in the following sentences.

1. Naomi said, I feel very excited as it is the first day of work.

2. Have you read The Pilgrim’s Progress?

3. Shakespeare once said, All the world’s a stage and we are all actors.

4. The Ice Age: Collision Course is the last one of the Ice Age movie sequels.

5. Have you ever heard of FOMO?

6. Terry said, I have been promoted to be head of sales for the entire northern division.

7. The crowd cheered, An absolute hero!

8. Nothing’s gonna change my love for you is my mom’s favourite song.

9. Who is the class leader? asked the Principal.

10. A Sensible Heart is a psychoanalytic novel.

Now, find out if you used the right quotation marks in the right places from the answers given below,

1. Naomi said, “ I feel very excited as it is the first day of work. ”

2. Have you read ‘ The Pilgrim’s Progress ’ ?

3. Shakespeare once said, “ All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. ”

4. The ‘ Ice Age: Collision Course ‘ is the last one of the Ice Age movie sequels.

5. Have you ever heard of ‘ FOMO ’ ?

6. Terry said, “ I have been promoted to be head of sales for the entire northern division. ”

7. The crowd cheered, “ An absolute hero! ”

8. ‘ Nothing’s gonna change my love for you ’ is my mom’s favourite song.

9. “ Who is the class leader? ”, asked the Principal.

10. ‘ A Sensible Heart ’ is a psychoanalytic novel.

What are quotation marks?

Quotation marks, also called speech marks, are one of the punctuation marks in English which can be used to quote the exact words of the speaker in a sentence and also to indicate names, titles and so on.

What is the definition of quotation marks?

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines ‘quotation marks’ as “a pair of marks (‘  ’) or ( “ ” ) placed around a word, sentence, etc. to show that it is what somebody said or wrote, that it is a title or that you are using it in an unusual way.” According to the Cambridge Dictionary, quotation marks are defined as “the symbols “ ” or ‘ ’ that are put around a word or phrase to show that someone else has written or said it”.

What are the two types of quotation marks?

There are two types of quotation marks in the English language namely,

• Single quotation marks

Give some examples of sentences using quotation marks.

Here are a few examples of sentences to show you how quotation marks can be used.

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Using Quotation Marks

The rules for using quotation marks.

Table of Contents

Four Ways to Use Quotation Marks

Using quotation marks explained in detail, (1) using quotation marks for previously spoken or written words, (2) using quotation marks for the names of ships, books, and plays, (3) using quotation marks to signify so-called or alleged, (4) using quotation marks to show a word refers to the word itself, why quotation marks are important.

(1) To identify previously spoken or written words.

(2) To highlight the name of things like ships, books, and plays.

(3) To signify so-called or alleged.

(4) To show that a word refers to the word itself not the word's meaning.

(Issue 1) Being inconsistent with single or double quotation marks.

(Issue 2) Using quotation marks with reported speech

(issue 3) being unsure whether to use a comma or a colon before a quotation..

(Rule 1) Use a colon if the introduction is an independent clause.

• New York gang members all advise the following: "Don't run from fat cops. They shoot earlier."

(Rule 2) You can use a colon if the quotation is a complete sentence.

• The orders state: "In case of fire, exit the building before tweeting about it."

(Rule 3) Use a comma if the introduction is not an independent clause.

• Before each shot, the keeper said aloud, "bum, belly, beak, bang."
• Peering over his glasses, he said, "Never test the depth of a river with both feet."

(Rule 4) You can only use a comma after a quotation.

• "Always give 100%, unless you're donating blood", he would always say.

(Rule 5) Don't use any punctuation if the quotation is not introduced.

• I believe there really is, "no place like home."
• I would hate to see the worst if this is the, "best skiing resort in France".

(Issue 4) Being unsure whether to place punctuation inside or outside the quotation.

(Issue 5) Using quotation marks for emphasis.

• Nest single quotation marks within doubles.
• The instructions say: "Shout 'Yahtzee' loudly."
• Don't put reported speech in quotation marks.

Two Points about Editing Quotations

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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Grammar: How To Use Speech Marks Correctly

Written by Dan

Last updated September 20, 2023

Understanding how to use speech marks correctly in reading and writing is an essential grammar skill that can help your students effectively communicate their ideas.

However, mastering the correct usage of these punctuation symbols can be a challenge for some children.

By clearly demonstrating the purpose of speech marks and providing plenty of practice opportunities, you can give your students the confidence to utilize them accurately in all sorts of contexts.

In this blog post, we will discuss what speech marks are, when they should be used, and how to teach effective grammar lessons focusing on their use.

So, if you’re looking for fresh ways to engage students with learning about grammar via speech mark practices then keep reading!

Table of Contents

Understanding Speech Marks

What are speech marks.

Speech marks, also known as quotation marks or inverted commas, are punctuation marks used in pairs to indicate direct speech, a quotation, or a phrase.

They play a key role in guiding the reader through the text by indicating who is speaking or highlighting essential phrases.

Have you ever wondered how you know when a character in a book is speaking? That’s right! It’s because of the speech marks.

The Role and Importance of Speech Marks in Writing and Reading

Speech marks serve a critical function in both writing and reading. In writing, they help to distinguish dialogue from narrative, highlight specific phrases or words for emphasis, and indicate direct quotations from sources.

In reading, they provide visual cues that aid comprehension and interpretation.

Imagine reading a novel without speech marks. It would be challenging to differentiate between the characters’ spoken words and the author’s narrative, wouldn’t it?

Speech marks create clarity and structure, making our reading experience more enjoyable and efficient.

Common Misconceptions About Speech Marks

One common misconception is that speech marks are only used to denote dialogue. While this is one of their primary functions, it is not their sole purpose.

They can also be used to indicate irony, introduce unfamiliar terms or phrases, or signify titles of short works.

Another misconception is that single and double speech marks can be used interchangeably. However, their usage varies based on regional style guidelines.

For instance, American English typically uses double speech marks (” “), while British English often prefers single speech marks (‘ ‘).

When to Use Speech Marks

Scenarios for using speech marks.

Speech marks are not just decorative flourishes in our writing; they have specific functions and should be used appropriately. So, when exactly should we use them?

• Direct Speech : This is the most common scenario for using speech marks. Whenever a character or person is speaking directly, their words should be enclosed within speech marks. For instance: “I’m excited about the upcoming vacation,” she said.
• Quotations : When quoting a phrase or sentence directly from a source, we use speech marks to indicate that these are not our own words. For example: As Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
• Titles of Short Works : Speech marks are used to denote the titles of short works like poems , short stories, song titles, and articles. Example: I just read “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost.
• Words Used Unusually or Sarcasm : When a word is used in an unconventional way or to indicate sarcasm or irony, it is often placed within speech marks. Example: He was so “excited” to clean his room.

Examples Demonstrating Correct Use of Speech Marks

Let’s put this into practice with some examples:

• Direct Speech: John said, “I will pick you up at 8 pm.”
• Quotation: The motivational speaker started his speech with, “As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.'”
• Title: Have you read the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”?
• Sarcasm: Yeah, I really “love” getting stuck in traffic.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the best intentions, errors can creep into our use of speech marks. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• Incorrect Placement of Punctuation : In American English, periods and commas go inside the speech marks, regardless of logic. For instance: “I’m going to the park,” she said. Not “I’m going to the park”, she said.
• Single and Double Speech Marks : Remember, the use of single (‘ ‘) and double (” “) speech marks depends on regional style guidelines. Stick to one style consistently throughout your writing.
• Unnecessary Use of Speech Marks : Speech marks should not be used for emphasis. Instead, use italics or bold. Incorrect: The “best” ice cream in town. Correct: The best ice cream in town.

How to Teach Speech Marks Effectively

The importance of clear demonstrations and practice opportunities.

Teaching speech marks is not just about explaining the rules; it’s about illustrating these rules with clear examples and providing ample practice opportunities.

Why, you ask? Because learning is a process of doing. It’s one thing to understand the theory behind speech marks, but applying that knowledge consistently in writing is what truly ingrains the concept.

To demonstrate the use of speech marks, start by showing students examples from their favorite books or articles. Discuss how the speech marks guide them through who’s speaking or what’s being emphasized.

Then, let them practice by writing dialogues or quoting phrases, and encourage peer reviews for constructive feedback.

Strategies and Tips for Teaching Speech Marks Correctly

• Use Visual Aids : Visual aids like posters or flashcards with speech mark rules can be potent tools. Display them prominently in the classroom or share them online for easy reference.
• Encourage Reading : The more students read, the more they’ll see speech marks in action. This exposure will help them understand and remember when and how to use them.
• Create Sentence Starters : Provide sentence starters that require speech marks, such as “She said, ‘…'” or “‘…,’ he thought.” This will give students a framework to begin practicing.
• Give Regular Feedback : Regular and specific feedback is crucial in helping students improve . Praise correct usage and gently correct mistakes, explaining clearly why changes are necessary.

Innovative Methods to Engage Students in Learning About Speech Marks

Learning doesn’t have to be boring, and teaching speech marks is no exception. Here are some innovative methods to make learning about speech marks fun and engaging:

• Speech Marks Games: Create games where students have to spot errors in the use of speech marks or add them correctly in sentences.
• Worksheets : Worksheets with fill-in-the-blank exercises or sentence correction tasks can provide valuable practice. You can find many such resources online or create your own tailored to your students’ needs.
• Online Resources : Websites like Khan Academy or Grammarly offer interactive lessons and quizzes on speech marks. These platforms turn learning into a fun, game-like experience.

Teaching speech marks effectively requires a balance of clear instruction, ample practice opportunities, and engaging activities.

With these strategies, you’re well on your way to making your students’ journey in mastering speech marks an exciting and rewarding one!

Educators, the baton is now in your hands! You have been equipped with a treasure chest of strategies, tips, and resources to teach speech marks effectively.

Remember, as you navigate this journey, your role is to impart knowledge and inspire curiosity and a love for language in your students.

Take these strategies and mould them to fit your unique classroom environment . Adapt them to cater to your students’ diverse learning styles.

Your dedication to teaching these fundamental aspects of grammar will lay the groundwork for their success in reading and writing.

As we wrap up this discussion on speech marks, let’s not view it as an end but as a stepping stone to broader horizons.

The world of grammar teaching practices is vast and ever-evolving, filled with innovative methods and exciting discoveries.

So, continue exploring, continue learning. Dive into professional development courses, join online teaching communities, or exchange ideas with your fellow educators.

Every step you take in this direction enriches your teaching repertoire and empowers your students in their learning journey.

Remember, every great writer was once a learner; perhaps an educator like you sparked that flame.

So, go ahead, ignite the spark. Who knows? You might just be nurturing the next Shakespeare or J.K. Rowling in your classroom!

Keep learning, keep growing, and most importantly, keep inspiring. The world needs more educators like you.

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Punctuation in direct speech

We use inverted commas (also called quotation marks, quotes or speech marks) to indicate direct speech. Double quotes (") are preferred in American English, while single quotes (') are more common in British English:

" I'm coming home late tonight, " she said. (American English) ' I'm coming home late tonight, ' she said. (British English)

If we quote within direct speech, we use the other style for the embedded quotation:

"She said, ' I'm coming home late tonight ', " recalled Jim. (American English) 'She said, " I'm coming home late tonight ", ' recalled Jim. (British English)

As can be seen in the examples above, a comma ( , ) is used at the end of the quotation, before the closing speech mark.

A comma is also used before the quotation if we start the sentence with the reporting clause. In this case the terminal full stop (.) comes before the closing speech mark:

She added , "Don't expect me before 11 . "

If the quotation is a question or exclamation, the terminal marks ( ? and ! ) also come before the closing speech marks:

"Hurry up ! " he shouted. She asked, "Am I late ? "

The quotation normally begins with a capital letter, except if it is interrupted by a reporting clause, in which case the first letter of the continuation is not capitalised:

" I 'm coming home late tonight," she said and added, " d on't expect me before 11."

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Speech Marks

Learn how to use speech marks correctly.

Speech marks, also known as quotation marks and inverted commas, are crucial in all styles of writing, from story writing to explanation writing .

We use speech to make a piece of writing as easy to understand as possible. Without proper use, readers may not understand when a character is speaking, or which character is speaking.

In non-fiction writing, a pair of quotation marks/double quotation marks are normally used to add direct quotes or titles to a text. Single quotation marks are used to mark a quote within another quote.

This guide includes lots of examples, tips, and resources to help your child master their use of speech marks. Let’s dive in!

How to use speech marks in dialogue

While learning how to use speech marks in academic writing is important, your child will mainly be using this punctuation mark to add dialogue to their writing. Here are some general rules and different uses for speech marks your child should know:

• Double quotation marks should be used for direct quotes from the character who is speaking.
• They should appear before and after the words being spoken by a character.
• The use of other punctuation marks will still be necessary.
• “That ice cream was delicious!” exclaimed Grudge the Bear.

Notice how in the above example, an exclamation mark is still used at the end of Grudge’s statement to express that he was excited about how delicious his ice cream was! When using a question mark in speech, your child should punctuate the speech marks the same way.

• “Will you go to the movies with me later?” asked Grudge the Bear.

In other instances, when indicating direct speech that would normally have a full stop/period at the end the sentence, we replace it with a comma:

• “I’m going to visit my grandmother later,” explained Grudge the Bear.

Your child can introduce a character before their dialogue by moving the reporting clause to the front of the direct speech, and add a comma after the dialogue tag. In this case, they can then end the speech with a full stop/period, just as they would without speech marks:

• Grudge the Bear explained, “I’m going to visit my grandmother later.”

It’s also important that your child starts a new line whenever they introduce a new speaker.

• Grudge the Bear asked, “Will you go to the movies with me later?”
• “Yes, I’ll get the tickets!” said Florence Flamingo.

Notice how because a new speaker is introduced, your child should do this on a new line. This helps the story look more organized and makes it easier for the readers to know who is speaking and when!

Direct Speech and Indirect Speech

Direct speech is the part of the sentence that’s surrounded by quotation marks. Indirect speech, on the other hand, is not surrounded by speech marks and is just written within the text like any other sentence.

• Direct speech: “Why don’t you want to watch a movie with me?” asked Grudge the Bear.
• Indirect speech: Grudge the Bear asked me why I didn’t want to watch a movie with him.

In the above examples, the same speech is being expressed, but in different ways. In the direct speech example, the question is coming directly from Grudge. However, in the indirect speech example, the author is explaining to the reader the question that Grudge asked. These two ways of expressing the same speech have different implications behind them, which is why an author may choose one type of speech over the other at certain times in their stories.

Other uses for speech marks

• They can sometimes be used to replace italics - this is usually done with shorter direct quotes from books, articles, or films
• To add direct quotations (exact words) to a non-fiction text, like a report or explanation writing piece.
• They let the reader know that the quote in the piece of nonfiction writing is not original, and is being cited from an external source. The quoted material should be followed by parentheses including the original source’s author.

In British English, single quotation marks are used more often, whereas in American English they’re only used to add a quote within a quote.

Activity & resource

Now that your child has learned everything they need to know about speech marks, here's a free resource to help them practice their new skills:

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Our award-winning reading & writing program covers all the essential language skills, from spelling , to grammar , punctuation and reading comprehension .

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Definition of speech marks noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• speech marks
• The author's punctuation goes outside the speech marks.

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

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Nearby words.

When do you use quotation marks (‘ ’) or (“ ”) in English? - Easy Learning Grammar

Direct speech.

• to draw attention to a word
• to indicate an unusual use of a word
• to suggest that the writer want to be distanced from a word.

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Speech Mark Examples for Grade 1, 2, & 3 in English [with Worksheet PDF]

• Updated on  
• Apr 27, 2024

Speech mark examples or you can say examples of quotation marks are quite helpful when it comes to mastering the trickiness of punctuation without cramming its definition and usage rules. But once you learn what speech marks are with the help of instances; you can easily quote anyone’s speech, famous saying, or universal truths word to word in writing. So, without further ado, let’s explore this blog about speech mark punctuation for kids through examples and practice exercises. 

This Blog Includes:

Speech mark examples for grade 1, speech mark examples for grade 2, speech mark examples for grade 3 , speech mark worksheet with answer pdf.

Know all about Punctuation  

To comprehend speech marks, think of them as tiny bubbles around what someone says. They show you the exact words spoken by a character in a sentence. But instead of a bubble, it follows a double inverted comma (“ ”) symbol to highlight the exact words of a speaker in written form. Take a look at the following examples of Speech marks for reference: 

• Simple Sentence: He Said, “I do not like her.”
• Questions: “Do you not like her?” asked the girl.

Here are some more examples you can go through and analyse the use of punctuation for class 1 kids.

Also Read: Punctuation for Class 1

As a kid progresses to Grade 2, they can explore more complex sentences and dialogues to master the usage of speech marks like the one mentioned below:

Also Read: Punctuation for Class 2

You must note that the functioning of quotation marks remains the same regardless of the grade level. The only challenge you will face will be the complexity of sentences. So, going through the more challenging examples will further enhance your understanding of speech marks: 

Also Read: Punctuation for Class 3

Speech marks, also sometimes called quotation marks, are punctuation symbols used in writing to show the exact words spoken by a character or person in a sentence. They act like little quotation bubbles, enclosing the specific dialogue being spoken. For example, “Hello,” she greeted me warmly. 

Here’s how to put words in speech marks also called quotation marks: 1. Identify the spoken words. 2. Before the spoken words, insert the opening quotation marks.   3. Place all the spoken words within the quotation marks. This includes questions, exclamations, and even internal monologues. 4. After the spoken words, add the closing quotation mark (” or ”).

The example sentences for speech marks are “Ouch!” he cried, grabbing his foot. “Are you sure?”

Find more Punctuational Reads Below!

This was all about the speech mark examples and related information. Hope you understand the concept and know how to proceed. You can also follow the page of Learn English on Leverage Edu website for more exciting and informative blogs.

Harshita is a creative writer cum literature enthusiast in pursuit to extend her learnings of overseas and Indian education sectors to the masses, through her well-curated articles. You may also find her emerging in prose writing or reading Toni Morrison when not writing stuff related to education.

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Direct and Indirect Speech

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Direct and Indirect Speech: Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken, using quotation marks, while indirect speech paraphrases the spoken words without quotes, often changing tenses and pronouns. Both forms are essential for effective communication, emphasizing clarity and context in reporting speech.

What is Direct Speech?

Direct speech refers to the exact words spoken by someone, presented within quotation marks and often accompanied by a speech tag that attributes the statement to the speaker. This method of reporting speech is used to convey the original words and the tone in which they were spoken, preserving the personal touch and specific expressions of the speaker.

For example , if John says, “I am going to the store,” the direct speech presentation would be:

John said, “I am going to the store.”

What is Indirect Speech?

Indirect speech, also known as reported speech, is a method of conveying what someone said without quoting their exact words. Instead of using direct quotations, indirect speech summarizes or paraphrases the original statement. It often involves changes in verbs tenses, pronouns, and other elements to fit the grammatical context of the reporting sentence.

For example , consider the direct speech statement:

Tom said, “I am going to the gym now.” When converted into indirect speech, it becomes:

Tom said that he was going to the gym then.

Indirect speech does not use quotation marks and typically introduces the reported clause with conjunctions like “that,” although “that” can be omitted in informal contexts.

Rules of Direct and Indirect Speech

Rules for converting direct into indirect speech.

• Example : Direct: He said, “I am tired.”
• Indirect: He said that he was tired.
• Example : Direct: She says, “I am reading a book.”
• Indirect: She says that she is reading a book. (Note: When reporting in the present tense, as with ‘says’, the tense may not always change.)
• Example : Direct: “I will go there tomorrow,” John said.
• Indirect: John said that he would go there the next day.
• Example : Direct: She said, “I can solve the problem.”
• Indirect: She said that she could solve the problem.
• Example : Direct: He asked, “Are you coming?”
• Indirect: He asked if I was coming.
• Example : Direct: He said, “Close the door.”
• Indirect: He asked me to close the door.
• Example : Direct: She said, “What a beautiful day!”
• Indirect: She exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.

Rules for converting Indirect Speech into Direct Speech

• Example : Indirect: He said that he was tired.
• Direct: He said, “I am tired.”
• Example : Indirect: She says that she is reading a book.
• Direct: She says, “I am reading a book.” (Note: Sometimes the tense doesn’t need to change if the reporting verb is in the present tense.)
• Example : Indirect: John said that he would go there the next day.
• Direct: John said, “I will go there tomorrow.”
• Example : Indirect: She said that she could solve the problem.
• Direct: She said, “I can solve the problem.”
• Example : Indirect: He asked if I was coming.
• Direct: He asked, “Are you coming?”
• Example : Indirect: He asked me to close the door.
• Direct: He said, “Close the door.”
• Example : Indirect: She exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.
• Direct: She said, “What a beautiful day!”

Difference Between Direct and Indirect Speech

This table should help you clearly see how the format, verbs, pronouns, and other elements differ between direct and indirect speech.

Direct and Indirect Speech Examples

1. Direct : “I love reading books,” Jane said. Indirect : Jane said that she loved reading books. 2. Direct : “We will go to the park,” they announced. Indirect : They announced that they would go to the park. 3. Direct : “I have finished my homework,” he told his mother. Indirect: He told his mother that he had finished his homework. 4. Direct : “Can you help me with this?” she asked. Indirect: She asked if I could help her with that. 5. Direct : “I am feeling sick today,” he whispered. Indirect: He whispered that he was feeling sick that day. 6. Direct : “I won’t be able to attend the meeting,” Laura said. Indirect: Laura said that she would not be able to attend the meeting. 7. Direct : “Please open the window,” she requested. Indirect: She requested him to open the window. 8. Direct : “Do not touch my phone,” he warned. Indirect: He warned not to touch his phone. 9. Direct : “I’ll call you tomorrow,” she promised. Indirect: She promised that she would call me the next day. 10. Direct : “What time does the concert start?” he asked. Indirect: He asked what time the concert started.

Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech Exercises with Answers

Direct to indirect speech exercises.

Convert the following sentences from direct to indirect speech:

Exercise 1 : “I am learning to play the piano,” she said. Answer 1 : How did she say she was learning to play the piano?

Exercise 2 : “Will you be attending the meeting?” he asked me. Answer 2 : How did he ask if I would be attending the meeting?

Exercise 3 : “I have seen that movie three times,” Alex told her. Answer 3 : How did Alex tell her that he had seen that movie three times?

Exercise 4 : “You should try the new Italian restaurant,” he recommended. Answer 4 : How did he recommend trying the new Italian restaurant?

Exercise 5 : “Please pass the salt,” she requested. Answer 5 : How did she request to pass the salt?

Exercise 6 : “I cannot come to your party,” Jane apologized. Answer 6 : How did Jane apologize that she could not come to the party?

Exercise 7 “Let’s meet at the mall,” they suggested. Answer 7 : How did they suggest meeting at the mall?

Exercise 8 : “Do you know where the station is?” he inquired. Answer 8 : How did he inquire if I knew where the station was?

Exercise 9 : “I must finish this book tonight,” she declared. Answer 9 : How did she declare that she must finish the book that night?

Exercise 10 : “I didn’t take your notebook,” he denied. Answer 10 : How did he deny taking my notebook?

Indirect to Direct Speech Exercises

Convert the following sentences from indirect to direct speech:

Exercise 11 : She said that she was learning to play the piano. Answer 11 : What did she say about learning to play the piano in direct speech?

Exercise 12 : He asked if I would be attending the meeting. Answer 12 : How did he ask about my attendance at the meeting in direct speech?

Exercise 13 : Alex told her that he had seen that movie three times. Answer 13 : What did Alex tell her about how many times he had seen the movie in direct speech?

Exercise 14 : He recommended trying the new Italian restaurant. Answer 14 : What did he say about trying the new Italian restaurant in direct speech?

Exercise 15 : She requested to pass the salt. Answer 15 : What did she request about the salt in direct speech?

Exercise 16 : Jane apologized that she could not come to the party. Answer 16 : What did Jane say when she apologized for not coming to the party in direct speech?

Exercise 17 : They suggested meeting at the mall. Answer 17 : What did they suggest about meeting in direct speech?

Exercise 18 : He inquired if I knew where the station was. Answer 18 : How did he inquire about the location of the station in direct speech?

Exercise 19 : She declared that she must finish the book that night. Answer 19 : What did she declare about finishing the book in direct speech?

Exercise 20 : He denied taking my notebook. Answer 20 : What did he say when he denied taking the notebook in direct speech?

FAQ’s

How do tenses change in indirect speech.

Tenses in indirect speech usually shift back (e.g., present to past) to reflect that the speaking occurred in the past.

Do pronouns always change in indirect speech?

Pronouns change in indirect speech to match the perspective of the speaker reporting the speech, ensuring clarity and coherence.

How do you convert a question from direct to indirect speech?

Questions in direct speech are converted by introducing a clause with ‘if’ or ‘whether’, and rearranging the syntax to statement form.

What happens to modal verbs in indirect speech?

Modal verbs often change in indirect speech, with ‘will’ becoming ‘would’ and ‘can’ changing to ‘could’, for example.

Can the verb tense remain the same in indirect speech?

Yes, if the reporting verb is in the present tense, the tense within the reported clause might not change.

What are the typical introductory verbs used in indirect speech?

Common verbs include ‘said’, ‘told’, ‘asked’, ‘replied’, ‘exclaimed’, and ‘advised’, depending on the nature of the speech.

How do you handle imperatives in indirect speech?

Imperatives are converted into infinitive structures, such as changing “Close the door” to “He asked her to close the door.”

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US House passes controversial bill that expands definition of anti-Semitism

Rights groups warn that the definition could further chill freedom of speech as protests continue on college campuses.

The United States House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bill that would expand the federal definition of anti-Semitism, despite opposition from civil liberties groups.

The bill passed the House on Wednesday by a margin of 320 to 91, and it is largely seen as a reaction to the ongoing antiwar protests unfolding on US university campuses. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Keep reading

The take: university protests spread across the us, at least 200 arrested at may day clashes in turkey, university gaza protests rage on with columbia arrests and violence at ucla.

If the bill were to become law, it would codify a definition of anti-Semitism created by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

That is a federal anti-discrimination law that bars discrimination based on shared ancestry, ethnic characteristics or national origin. Adding IHRA’s definition to the law would allow the federal Department of Education to restrict funding and other resources to campuses perceived as tolerating anti-Semitism.

But critics warn IHRA’s definition could be used to stifle campus protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of 34,568 Palestinians so far.

What is the definition?

IHRA’s working definition of anti-Semitism is “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities”.

According to the IHRA, that definition also encompasses the “targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity”.

The group also includes certain examples in its definition to illustrate anti-Semitism. Saying, for instance, that “the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor” would be deemed anti-Semitic under its terms. The definition also bars any comparison between “contemporary Israeli policy” and “that of the Nazis”.

However, IHRA does specify that “criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic”.

Bipartisan criticism

Rights groups, however, have raised concerns the definition nevertheless conflates criticism of the state of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism.

In a letter sent to lawmakers on Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) urged House members to vote against the legislation, saying federal law already prohibits anti-Semitic discrimination and harassment.

The bill is “therefore not needed to protect against anti-Semitic discrimination”, the letter said.

“Instead, it would likely chill free speech of students on college campuses by incorrectly equating criticism of the Israeli government with anti-Semitism.”

Those fears were echoed within the House of Representatives itself. During a hearing on Tuesday, Representative Jerry Nadler, a Democrat, said the scope of the definition was too broad.

“By encompassing purely political speech about Israel into Title VI’s ambit, the bill sweeps too broadly,” he said.

Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican, also criticised the bill in a post on the social media platform X, noting that it only referred to the IHRA definition, without providing the exact language or stating clearly which parts would be enshrined into law.

“To find the legally adopted definition of anti-Semitism, one must go to [the IHRA website],” he wrote.

“Not only is the definition listed there, but one also finds specific examples of anti-Semitic speech. Are those examples made part of the law as well?”

Concerns on campus

The IHRA adopted its current definition of anti-Semitism in 2016, and its framing has been embraced by the US State Department under President Joe Biden and his two predecessors.

The vote on Wednesday comes as renewed protests have swept across college campuses in opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza. April has seen the spread of encampments on university lawns, as students call for university leaders to divest from Israel and for government officials to call for a ceasefire.

The Biden administration and other top Washington officials have pledged steadfast support for Israel, despite mounting humanitarian concerns over its military campaign.

US lawmakers also have upped the pressure on university administrators to quash the protests, which they have portrayed as inherently anti-Semitic.

Protest leaders across the country, however, have rejected that characterisation. Instead, they accuse administrators and local officials of conflating support for Palestinians with anti-Semitism.

They also have said their rights are being trampled by administrators who seek to appease lawmakers, prompting at times violent police crackdowns on the encampments.

On Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that several House committees would be tasked with a probe into alleged campus anti-Semitism. But critics fear the investigation could ultimately threaten to withhold federal research grants and other government support from the universities where the protests are occurring.

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House passes bill to expand definition of antisemitism amid growing campus protests over Gaza war

Pro-Palestinian protesters camp out in tents at Columbia University on Saturday, April 27, 2024 in New York. With the death toll mounting in the war in Gaza, protesters nationwide are demanding that schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies they say are enabling the conflict. Some Jewish students say the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus. (AP Photo)

FILE -President of Columbia University Nemat Shafik testifies before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing on “Columbia in Crisis: Columbia University’s Response to Antisemitism” on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Columbia University president Nemat (Minouche) Shafik is no stranger to navigating complex international issues, having worked at some of the world’s most prominent global financial institutions.(AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed legislation Wednesday that would establish a broader definition of antisemitism for the Department of Education to enforce anti-discrimination laws, the latest response from lawmakers to a nationwide student protest movement over the Israel-Hamas war.

The proposal, which passed 320-91 with some bipartisan support, would codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a federal anti-discrimination law that bars discrimination based on shared ancestry, ethnic characteristics or national origin. It now goes to the Senate where its fate is uncertain.

Action on the bill was just the latest reverberation in Congress from the protest movement that has swept university campuses. Republicans in Congress have denounced the protests and demanded action to stop them, thrusting university officials into the center of the charged political debate over Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza. More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war was launched in October, after Hamas staged a deadly terrorist attack against Israeli civilians.

If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the bill would broaden the legal definition of antisemitism to include the “targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity.” Critics say the move would have a chilling effect on free speech throughout college campuses.

“Speech that is critical of Israel alone does not constitute unlawful discrimination,” Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said during a hearing Tuesday. “By encompassing purely political speech about Israel into Title VI’s ambit, the bill sweeps too broadly.”

Advocates of the proposal say it would provide a much-needed, consistent framework for the Department of Education to police and investigate the rising cases of discrimination and harassment targeted toward Jewish students.

“It is long past time that Congress act to protect Jewish Americans from the scourge of antisemitism on campuses around the country,” Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., said Tuesday.

The expanded definition of antisemitism was first adopted in 2016 by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, an intergovernmental group that includes the United States and European Union states, and has been embraced by the State Department under the past three presidential administrations, including Joe Biden’s

Previous bipartisan efforts to codify it into law have failed. But the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas militants in Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza have reignited efforts to target incidents of antisemitism on college campuses.

Separately, Speaker Mike Johnson announced Tuesday that several House committees will be tasked with a wide probe that ultimately threatens to withhold federal research grants and other government support for universities, placing another pressure point on campus administrators who are struggling to manage pro-Palestinian encampments, allegations of discrimination against Jewish students and questions of how they are integrating free speech and campus safety.

The House investigation follows several high-profile hearings that helped precipitate the resignations of presidents at Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. And House Republicans promised more scrutiny, saying they were calling on the administrators of Yale, UCLA and the University of Michigan to testify next month.

The House Oversight Committee took it one step further Wednesday, sending a small delegation of Republican members to an encampment at nearby George Washington University in the District of Columbia. GOP lawmakers spent the short visit criticizing the protests and Mayor Muriel Bowser’s refusal to send in the Metropolitan Police Department to disperse the demonstrators.

Bowser on Monday confirmed that the city and the district’s police department had declined the university’s request to intervene. “We did not have any violence to interrupt on the GW campus,” Bowser said, adding that police chief Pamela Smith made the ultimate decision. “This is Washington, D.C., and we are, by design, a place where people come to address the government and their grievances with the government.”

It all comes at a time when college campuses and the federal government are struggling to define exactly where political speech crosses into antisemitism. Dozens of U.S. universities and schools face civil rights investigations by the Education Department over allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Among the questions campus leaders have struggled to answer is whether phrases like “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” should be considered under the definition of antisemitism.

The proposed definition faced strong opposition from several Democratic lawmakers, Jewish organizations as well as free speech advocates.

In a letter sent to lawmakers Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union urged members to vote against the legislation, saying federal law already prohibits antisemitic discrimination and harassment.

“H.R. 6090 is therefore not needed to protect against antisemitic discrimination; instead, it would likely chill free speech of students on college campuses by incorrectly equating criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism,” the letter stated.

Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the centrist pro-Israel group J Street, said his organization opposes the bipartisan proposal because he sees it as an “unserious” effort led by Republicans “to continually force votes that divide the Democratic caucus on an issue that shouldn’t be turned into a political football.”

Associated Press writers Ashraf Khalil, Collin Binkley and Stephen Groves contributed to this report.

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Page title It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Tips and Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month

It’s May, so just checking in… “How is everybody doing?”

In case you missed it, Sesame Street’s lovable Elmo posed that very question on social media earlier this year – and the responses came flooding in. From relationship problems to financial troubles, and feelings of exhaustion, angst, loneliness, and disconnection, people shared their struggles. At last count, Elmo’s post had garnered more than 217 million views, 15,000 reposts, 165,000 likes, and 45,000 responses on one social media platform alone. What this helps reveal is that many of us are NOT okay – and it’s important to acknowledge and address that, and make sure people know that help is available. SAMHSA has several supports and resources that can help.

Mental Health Conditions Can Affect Anyone

May is Mental Health Awareness Month , a good reminder to focus on the importance of mental health and its impact on our well-being. Mental health conditions can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, or income level. Recent data (PDF | 622 KB) help underscore that our nation is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis among people of all ages and backgrounds, including young children and older adults. To put this into perspective, if you were standing in a room full of people, at least one out of every five of those people likely experienced anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions in the last year.

The good news is… mental health conditions are treatable. As illustrated by the many athletes, entertainers, and prominent public figures who have spoken openly about their experiences, people living with mental illness can — and do — lead happy and productive lives. And this includes serious mental illnesses , such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, which can interfere with someone’s life and ability to function. Similar to medical conditions like diabetes, with early and consistent treatment, people with serious mental illnesses can manage their conditions, overcome challenges, and enjoy meaningful, productive lives.

At SAMHSA, we are committed to increasing access to mental health services and supports nationwide. We understand that many Americans may feel reluctant to reach out for help or to seek care; we want you to know that we see you, we hear you, and we support you. We believe that with the right care, anyone affected by – or at risk for – a mental health condition can achieve well-being and thrive. And if you take care of yourself, you might also be a support for others -- a lifeline for someone else.

Language Matters When It Comes to Mental Health

The more we talk about mental health together, the more normalized these conversations become – ultimately empowering people to seek the help they need. And fortunately, more people are now talking about and prioritizing their mental health, just as they would their physical health. They are also embracing self-care to improve overall well-being. This is critical because when you take care of your mental health, your physical and emotional health also improves, and you’re more likely to learn and work productively, and effectively cope with life stressors. However, self-care looks different for everyone. Exercise, sleep, and a balanced diet might be the strategy for some, while others might benefit from joining a support group, or seeing a mental health professional. It’s important to identify what works best for you.

Just like you might share tips with friends about maintaining a healthy weight or improving blood pressure, consider taking the opportunity this month to share your experience of how you are caring for your mental health. Help enforce the message that “it’s okay to not be okay,” and encourage people (PDF | 98 KB) to seek help when they need it. And, as you have those conversations, think about the words that you use: language is powerful, and your choice of words can help break down misconceptions, or contribute to them. One of the most impactful ways to communicate about mental health is to use person-first language to put the person before their diagnosis, disability, or other characteristics. For example:

• Instead of saying, “John is schizophrenic…or bipolar,” say “John is a person who has schizophrenia…or who has bipolar disorder.”
• Instead of describing someone as “suffering from a mental illness,” say “experiencing or living with a mental illness.”

It’s also important to use language that promotes inclusivity and respect. When we use open, compassionate, and equitable language around mental health issues, we empower ourselves and encourage others to find the help they need.

Take Action

SAMHSA will host several “Mental Health Awareness Month” events for partners and grantees throughout May. Details on any virtual events open to the public will be available on our Mental Health Awareness Month webpage .

Mental Health Action Day is May 16, providing an opportunity to take the next step from awareness to action for yourself, a loved one, or your community. This could be as simple as adopting a positive “mental health habit” like eating a balanced diet, getting a good night’s rest, or exercising, or offering support to a friend or family member who is struggling. Here are some additional strategies to consider on Mental Health Action Day.

• Practice gratitude: Think about what you’re thankful for – like supportive family and friends, a safe home, or even a beautiful day. Or find something to celebrate, like a recent accomplishment. Consciously practicing gratitude may reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
• Volunteer: Participating in community organizations and finding opportunities to help others can provide a positive boost and sense of purpose.
• Engage in random acts of kindness: Buy a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you, hold the door open for a stranger, or make food for a neighbor or colleague. There are many small acts that can brighten someone else’s day.
• Practice mindfulness: Take a few minutes to meditate, take a yoga class or do some breathing exercises to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
• Seek Help: Whether it is for yourself of someone else, seek help through SAMHSA’s resources. Recovery is possible.

Show Compassion – and Be a Lifeline to Others

In addition to focusing on your own self-care this Mental Health Awareness Month, consider checking in on loved ones.

• Parents/Kids: If you are a parent or caregiver, talk to your kids about their mental health. Getting help during the early stages of mental illness, or at the first signs of mild behavioral health symptoms, can help those symptoms from developing into more serious conditions.
• Older Adults: If you know an older adult who may be experiencing bereavement, illness, or isolation, watch for clues and ask how they are doing during visits. CDC data shows that suicide rates are on the rise, especially among adults ages 65 and older – so it’s critical to recognize the warning signs so we can offer help.
• New Mothers: If you know someone who is pregnant or recently gave birth, check to see how they’re feeling. About 1 in 8 women report symptoms of postpartum depression in the year after giving birth – so it’s quite common and nobody should feel embarrassed or hesitant to reach out for help. But if left untreated, maternal mental health issues can lead to devastating consequences, including pregnancy-related deaths, such as suicides, drug overdoses and other unintentional injuries.

These are just a few examples of how you can serve as a lifeline to others this month and beyond. Simply listening, and providing support, can make a significant – and even lifesaving – difference to someone living with mental illness.

To quote Elmo’s heart-felt follow-up post , “Elmo is glad he asked! Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing.” Consider heeding that advice. By encouraging others to seek or access help, or simply by being there for someone when they need us, we instill hope in ourselves and those around us.

SAMHSA Resources

SAMHSA’s 2024 Mental Health Awareness Month resources, including a digital toolkit , can be found on the Mental Health Awareness Month webpage . To learn how to get support for mental health conditions, visit FindSupport.gov . If you’re looking for treatment services in your community, visit FindTreatment.gov . If you or someone you know is in in crisis, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Additional SAMHSA Wellness and Recovery Resources

• Recovery and Recovery Support
• Resources for Older Adults
• Parent and Caregiver Resources
• School and Campus Health
• Resources for Families Coping with Mental and Substance Use Disorders