Direct speech: the narrator presents the character himself speaking directly, allowing the author to show what happens rather than simply telling.
A car washer, Juarez de Castro, 28, was desolate, pointing to the rubble: “Alas my frying pan, alas my rice drainer. My water can was that one. There my other sneakers."
Jornal do Brasil, May 29, 1989.
Indirect speech: the narrator interferes with the character's speech. He tells readers what the character said, but tells in 3rd person. The character's words are not reproduced, but translated into the narrator's language.
Darius was hurrying, the umbrella over his left arm, and as soon as he rounded the corner, he slowed to a stop, leaning against the wall of a house. He slid down it, on his back, sat down on the sidewalk, still wet from the rain, and rested his pipe on the floor.
Two or three passersby surrounded him, wondering if he wasn't feeling well. Darius opened his mouth, moved his lips, but there was no response. A fat gentleman in white suggested that he must have a seizure.
Dalton Trevisan. Elephant cemetery. Rio de Janeiro,
Brazilian Civilization, 1964.
Free indirect speech: it is a combination of the two previous ones, confusing the narrator's interventions with those of the characters. It is an economical and dynamic way of narrating, as it allows you to show and tell the facts at the same time.
Muddy to the waist, Tiãozinho grows with hatred. If he could kill the path... Let me grow... Let me get big... I will take care of this damage... If a snake bit your Soronho... There are so many rattlesnakes in the pastures... So many urutu, close to home... if a jaguar ate the path, at night... A large ounce, of the painted one... I'm angry...
But the oxen are walking differently. They began to pay attention, listening to the Brilliant bull talk.
Guimaraes Rosa. Sagarana. Rio de Janeiro,
José Olympio, 1976.
By Marina Cabral
Specialist in Portuguese Language and Literature
Brazil School Team
Narration - Essay - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/redacao/tipos-discurso-narrativa.htm