Starting with speech or a quote is quite easy: simply put the words that are said (or quoted).

The speech or quote must be separated using either single quotation marks (‘ ‘) or speech marks (” “).

Speech is often used in stories. Quotes are often used in essays. However, they can both be used in other forms of writing.

Examples of Starting a Sentence with Speech

“Run”, the boy had told me.

‘That a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife’ was perhaps once true; however, in the modern world I believe a single man in possession of a good fortune is more in need of a good hobby.

‘Life is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get’ is one of the silliest similes I have ever heard; you can look at the box!