quotations: direct vs. indirect

direct quotation: the exact words of a person or from a text

A direct quotation is enclosed in quotation marks.

Example: My friend asked, "Will you come visit today?"

indirect quotation: a summary or paraphrase of another's word: a person or a text

An indirect quotation is not enclosed in quotatoin marks

Example: My friend asked if I would come visit today. - or - My friend asked me to come visit today. - or - My friend asked me to come visit today.