Writing a conversation

Writing a conversation

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about writing a conversation using speech marks. 

Question 1Change answer

Ahika ran in the door, dropped his bag and yelled, "what's for dinner?"
"Hamburgers," replied Mum. "Please set the table."
"That's not fair," moaned Ahika, "because I did it yesterday."
"Well life isn't always fair," answered Mum.

 

two friends at lunchtime

In the box below write a short conversation that two friends might have at lunchtime.
Remember to use all the punctuation needed when someone is speaking, as shown in the example above. Each friend needs to speak at least two times.
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
English, Creating meaning, Writing
Key Competencies: 
Using language, symbols, and texts
Keywords: 
punctuation, speech marks, direct speech
Description of task: 
Students read and then show a conversation using characters and speech bubbles.
Curriculum Links: 
Links to the Literacy Learning Progressions for Writing:
This resource helps to identify students’ ability to:

  • generate content that is relevant to the task
  • use basic punctuation that is mostly correct, including punctuation of dialogue

as described in the Literacy Learning Progressions for Writing at: http://www.literacyprogressions.tki.org.nz/The-Structure-of-the-Progressions.

Answers/responses: 
   

Y7 (03/2000)

a)
  • Uses speech marks correctly to indicate the words spoken in all cases.
  • Makes 1 error, (i.e., omits speech marks where it is needed, or adds an unnecessary speech mark).

2 correct – easy

1 correct – easy

b)
  • Begins a new line every time a new person speaks.
  • Makes 1 error.

2 correct – difficult

1 correct – moderate

c)
  • Uses a capital letter for the first word spoken every time a new person speaks.
  • Makes 1 error.

2 correct – easy

1 correct – easy

d)
  • Uses a comma (or other appropriate punctuation, e.g., a question mark), which is correctly positioned to separate the direct speech from the following or proceeding words in all instances they are needed.
  • Makes 1 error.

2 correct – difficult

1 correct – difficult