GRADE 9 English RELATIONSHIPS:COMMUNITY – READING:PLAY -STYLE Notes
English — RELATIONSHIPS: COMMUNITY
Subtopic: READING: PLAY - STYLE (Grammar focus)
These notes explain the grammar you must notice when reading a play. Examples use a Kenyan community setting. Focus on how speech is written, how stage directions work, and how to change direct speech to reported speech — skills useful for exams and classwork.
1. Script format & punctuation
- Character name + colon: In many plays you will see a name then a colon, then the words the character says.
AMINA: We must clean the borehole area tomorrow.
- No quotation marks: Plays often do not use " " around speech. In prose (e.g., a story) you would use quotes.
- Stage directions: Shown in brackets, italics, or parentheses and are not spoken. They may use the present tense or imperatives.
(The village chairperson stands and points to the notice board.)
2. Direct speech vs stage directions — grammar points
When reading dialogue, notice:
- Verb forms in speech: Characters may speak in present, past or future depending on context. Example:
OWEN: Tomorrow we will plant beans. (future)
- Stage directions use verbs like commands/imperatives: "Enter", "Sit", "Turn". These tell actors what to do, not what they say.
(Amina enters carrying a basket.) — 'enters' shows action now.
- Contractions: Common in spoken dialogue — show informality: "I'm", "we're", "can't". Use them as you see in the script.
3. Speech tags and commas
In plays the tag is usually the character name. In prose, speech tags need commas or full stops:
Amina said, "I saw the notice." (comma after tag)
When changing from a play to a report, add commas and quotation marks as needed.
4. Reported (indirect) speech — key rules
- Remove quotation marks. Use a reporting verb: said, told, asked.
- Shift the tense back if the reporting verb is past:
Direct: AMINA: "I am tired."
Reported: Amina said that she was tired. - Change pronouns and time words:
"We will meet tomorrow," said Owen. → Owen said (that) they would meet the next day.
5. Pronouns & subject–verb agreement in dialogue
Make sure verbs match the subject even in speech:
- Singular: He/She/It + verb + s (present): She cleans, He goes.
- Plural: We/They + base verb: We clean, They go.
- Examples in a community meeting:
CHAIR: The mothers collect the money. (correct for 'The mothers')
MOTHER: I collects the money. (wrong — should be "I collect")
6. Modal verbs — showing ability, permission, obligation
Common modals in plays:
- Can / Could — ability or permission: "Can we fetch water?"
- Must / Have to — obligation: "We must repair the fence."
- Should — advice: "You should speak to the chairperson."
When reporting these, some modals change: "can" → "could", "will" → "would" (if reporting verb is past).
7. Linking words & cohesion in dialogue
Plays often use connectors to keep conversation clear: because, so, therefore, however, then, after that, meanwhile. Notice how these affect grammar (clauses and punctuation).
8. Short Kenyan-play example (grammar points highlighted)
(Villagers clap.) — stage direction, present action
AMINA: We must fetch water today. The well is nearly full. (must = obligation)
OWEN: I can go with you. (can = ability/offer)
Report: The chairperson greeted everyone. Amina said they had to fetch water because the well was nearly full. Owen offered to go with her.
9. Quick tips for exams (KCSE / class tests)
- When asked to quote, copy the exact words and punctuation used in the script.
- When asked to report, remove quotation marks, change pronouns and shift tense if needed.
- Label stage directions as not spoken, and do not put them inside quotes when reporting speech.
- Check subject–verb agreement in your answers (very important).
10. Practice exercises
- Convert to reported speech:
OWEN: "We will meet at the chief's office tomorrow."
- Identify and correct the error:
MOTHER: "They goes to the market every Saturday."
- Is this stage direction or speech? Explain grammar:
(He knocks on the door and waits.)
- Change this play line into reported speech and correct tenses:
AMINA: "I haven't finished the list yet."
Answers (click to show)
2) Error: "They goes" → correct: "They go to the market every Saturday." (subject 'They' requires base verb)
3) It's a stage direction. Grammar: It uses present/past participle form to show action (knocks, waits). It is not spoken and should not be put in quotes when reporting.
4) Reported: Amina said (that) she had not finished the list yet. (present perfect → past perfect; pronoun change)