In French, what is the difference between a DIRECT and an INDIRECT object? I'm just a little unsure of what the difference is, and it's important for my French assignments.

The difference is the same in all languages.

Direct objects receive the action of the verb. They answer who or what after an action verb.

Indirect objects answer to or for whom or what after an action verb.

http://french.about.com/od/grammar/a/objectpronouns_3.htm

In French, as in many other languages, verbs can take both direct and indirect objects. Understanding the difference between these two types of objects is essential for properly constructing sentences in French.

A direct object is a noun or pronoun that directly receives the action of the verb. It answers the question "what?" or "whom?" after the verb. In other words, it is the recipient of the action. For example, in the sentence "Je mange la pomme" (I eat the apple), "la pomme" (the apple) is the direct object because it receives the action of the verb "manger" (to eat).

An indirect object, on the other hand, is a noun or pronoun that indicates to whom or for whom the action is performed. It answers the question "to/for whom?" or "to/for what?" In the sentence "Je donne un cadeau à mon frère" (I give a gift to my brother), "mon frère" (my brother) is the indirect object because it indicates the recipient of the action "donne" (give).

To identify the direct object in a sentence, ask yourself the question "what?" or "whom?" directly after the verb. To find the indirect object, ask yourself the question "to/for whom?" or "to/for what?" after the verb.

To get a better understanding of how direct and indirect objects work in French, it would be beneficial to study different examples and practice constructing sentences yourself. Additionally, using a French grammar textbook or online resources can provide you with more in-depth explanations and exercises to solidify your knowledge of the topic.