direct discourse

American  

[dih-rekt dis-kawrs, dahy-] / dɪˈrɛkt ˈdɪs kɔrs, daɪ- /

noun

1. a representation of speech in which the speaker's exact words are repeated, as in She said, “I'm not at all hungry.”

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Etymology

Origin of direct discourse

First recorded in 1845–50

Example Sentences

The story proper is written entirely in direct discourse which is really soliloquy, shading sometimes into a kind of ghostly dialog.

From Time Magazine Archive

Material is generally considered to be later, for instance, as it increases in length, detail, and direct discourse, and decreases in Jewish influence.

From Time Magazine Archive

A later reading, now generally accepted, avoids the bad grammar by changing to direct discourse.

From Children's Literature A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher-Training Classes by Clippinger, Erle Elsworth

Note that a slight amount of descriptive matter may be included in a paragraph with the direct discourse, the only requirement being that a change of speaker shall be indicated by a new paragraph.

From The Century Handbook of Writing by Greever, Garland

This artistic suspense is attained partly by the method of direct discourse; which, at the same time, develops the character of the hero.

From Essays on Modern Novelists by Phelps, William Lyon