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STA 2018 KS2 Expected Standard
Year 6 · targeted lesson · 6 pieces
Published exemplification — the same live marking as the product, on government or exam-board material, not a pupil’s book. STA KS2 English writing exemplification. Contains material developed by the Standards and Testing Agency for 2018 national curriculum assessments and licenced under Open Government Licence v3.0.
Created 24 August 2026
Priority gap
Punctuating direct speech accurately
Group
Year 6 writing focus group
Year group
Year 6
Writing context
Across narrative, recount and diary pieces, the group is writing lively, engaging content and attempting dialogue, but punctuation becomes less secure when speech is included.
Priority gap
Punctuating direct speech accurately
Evidence from the writing
“"Please fix the droid properly with care," ... but punctuation is not always secure.”
“Longer sentences sometimes lose control, as in "... a quote from one of Shakespeare's plays 'to be or not to be'".”
“Punctuation is generally secure ... but control is less consistent across more complex sentences.”
Existing strengths
Likely misconception
The group often knows that speech needs inverted commas, but may think punctuation can sit outside them or be added anywhere. They need to secure where the spoken words end and where the comma, full stop or question mark belongs.
Today we are learning to punctuate direct speech accurately.
Why it matters
This helps the reader follow who is speaking and makes our writing sound controlled and finished.
Read this together
“Please fix the droid properly with care", said the mechanic. "Where are you going with that droid boy? shouted the guard. The pilot whispered "It is another dimension".”
Diagnostic questions
The feature
Direct speech punctuation
When it's used
When a character's exact spoken words are written in a narrative, recount or diary entry.
How it works
Put the spoken words inside inverted commas. Start the spoken words with a capital letter. If the reporting clause comes after the speech, place a comma, question mark or exclamation mark before the closing inverted commas, then finish the sentence after the reporting clause. If the reporting clause comes first, use a comma before the opening inverted commas.
Common mistake
Putting the comma or full stop outside the speech marks, or forgetting that only the spoken words go inside the inverted commas.
Remember
Say it, mark it, close it.
Before
"Where are you going with that droid boy" shouted the guard.
Think aloud
“First, I spot the spoken words: Where are you going with that droid boy. They need to go inside inverted commas. Because this is a question, I need a question mark before I close the inverted commas. The reporting clause comes after, so I do not need another full stop before it. I finish with the reporting clause.”
After
"Where are you going with that droid boy?" shouted the guard.
What changed
The spoken words are fully enclosed in inverted commas, the capital letter starts the speech, and the question mark is correctly placed before the closing inverted commas.
Work on this together
“Correct these together: 1. "Give me the stick back" yelled the giant. 2. Mila whispered "We need to hide now". 3. "Can you see the portal" asked the scout.”
Prompts to use
Task
Write two lines of dialogue for a tense moment, such as seeing the portal open or meeting the giant. Punctuate each line accurately. If helpful, use one sentence starter: "...," said ... or "...?" asked ....
Transfer into their own writing
Return to one of your own narrative or diary pieces and improve one line of speech so the punctuation is fully correct.
Review questions
Exit check
Punctuate this correctly: "We must leave now" whispered the explorer.
Judging the outcome
Secure
Completes the exit check accurately and independently.
Developing
Applies the skill with prompting or with partial accuracy.
Not yet secure
Cannot yet apply the skill without direct support.
If secure
Move on to varying dialogue punctuation, including speech first, reporting clause first, and split speech across a sentence.
If developing
Continue with colour-coding spoken words and reporting clauses, then punctuate one sentence at a time using a model.
If not yet secure
Rehearse orally first: say the spoken words, say the reporting clause, then place inverted commas and one correct punctuation mark with adult support.
Future review
In the next narrative write, the group checks every line of dialogue with the prompt: spoken words inside, punctuation before closing marks, reporting clause after.