Detail explain the rules of Narration
1. What is Direct and Indirect Speech?
Direct Speech :
In direct speech, the exact words of the speaker are quoted. The spoken words are enclosed in inverted commas (” “), and a comma is used to separate them from the reporting verb.
Example :
She said, “I am reading a book.”
Indirect Speech :
In indirect speech, the words of the speaker are reported without using inverted commas. The sentence structure changes, and pronouns, tenses, and time expressions may need to be modified.
Example :
She said that she was reading a book.
2. Rules for Changing Direct Speech into Indirect Speech
A. Changes in Pronouns
Pronouns in indirect speech change depending on the subject and object of the reporting verb.
General Rule:
First-person pronouns (I, we, me, us, my, our) change according to the subject of the reporting verb.
Second-person pronouns (you, your, yours) change according to the object of the reporting verb.
Third-person pronouns (he, she, it, they, him, her, them, his, their) remain unchanged.
B. Changes in Tenses
If the reporting verb (e.g., said, told) is in the past tense, the tense of the reported speech changes as follows:
Exceptions:
If the direct speech expresses a universal truth or a general fact, the tense remains unchanged.
Example: He said, “The sun rises in the east.” → He said that the sun rises in the east.
C. Changes in Time and Place Expressions
Certain time expressions and place references change in indirect speech.
3. Rules for Different Types of Sentences
A. Assertive (Declarative) Sentences
Structure:
Direct: Subject + said, “statement.”
Indirect: Subject + said that + statement.
Example:
Direct: She said, “I am learning French.”
Indirect: She said that she was learning French.
B. Interrogative (Question) Sentences
If the sentence is a yes/no question, we use if or whether. If the question begins with a wh-word (who, what, when, where, why, how), the question word is retained.
Example 1 (Yes/No Question) :
Direct: He said, “Do you like coffee?”
Indirect: He asked if I liked coffee.
Example 2 (Wh- Question) :
Direct: She said, “Where do you live?”
Indirect: She asked where I lived.
C. Imperative Sentences (Commands & Requests)
Imperative sentences (orders, requests, advice) use verbs like told, ordered, requested, advised, suggested in indirect speech.
Example:
Direct: The teacher said, “Close the door.”
Indirect: The teacher ordered me to close the door.
Direct: She said, “Please help me.”
Indirect: She requested me to help her.
D. Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamations (joy, sorrow, surprise) use verbs like exclaimed, said with joy, said with sorrow, wished, regretted.
Example:
Direct: She said, “Wow! What a beautiful dress!”
Indirect: She exclaimed with joy that it was a beautiful dress.
Direct: He said, “Alas! I have lost my wallet.”
Indirect: He said with sorrow that he had lost his wallet.
E. Optative Sentences (Wishes & Prayers)
Use wished, prayed, hoped in indirect speech.
Example:
Direct: He said, “May you succeed!”
Indirect: He wished that I might succeed.
4. Summary of Key Changes
1. Pronouns change based on subject/object.
2. Tenses change if the reporting verb is in past tense.
3. Time and place words change accordingly.
4. Sentence structure changes depending on sentence type.
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