When you quote someone’s exact words, you are using direct discourse: She said, “I’m an editor.“ When you report what someone says without repeating the exact words, you are using indirect discourse: She said she was an editor. Shifting between direct and indirect discourse in the same sentence can cause problems, especially with questions.

The editing eliminates an awkward shift by reporting Bob’s question indirectly. It could also be edited to quote Bob directly: Bob asked, “What can I do to help?”