Indirect discourse

Indirect discourse, as opposed to direct discourse, presents a characters speech or thoughts in the third person.

Definition

Indirect discourse typically involves some sort of qualifying information about a characters speech or thoughts as opposed to merely the reproduction of them, which is the job of direct discourse. Indirect discourse can also include narrator's commentary, or a more complete attempt to capture and/or interpret the mood or manner of the character's speech instead of the speech only. Third person pronouns are a strong indicator of indirect discourse.

Examples

Indirect discourse: "John said that he was doing it."

Direct discourse: "John said:--I am doing it." (Prince 21).

Critical Debates

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Related Terms

discourse, direct discourse

References

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