Reported speech is a way to say in first person something that someone else said or did in the past, or that will do in the future.
For example, for this lines form The Lord Of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring I will convert every single sentence in direct speech to reported speech:
From:
"There was a ringing clash and a stab of white fire. The Balrog fell back and
its sword flew up in
'You cannot pass! ' he [Gandalf] said.
With a bound the Balrog leaped full upon the bridge. Its whip whirled and
hissed.
'He cannot stand alone! ' cried Aragorn suddenly and ran back along the
bridge. 'Elendil!' he shouted. 'I am with you, Gandalf! '
`Gondor! ' cried Boromir and leaped after him."
To:
- Gandalf said to the Balrog that he couldn't pass
- Aragorn cried that Gandalf couldn't stand alone
- Aragorn shouted "Elendil"
- Aragorn told to Gandalf that he was with him
- Boromir cried "Gondor"
