Using Dialogue, Addition and Substitution

Making our writing vivid and engaging

Use Dialogue to:

• Heighten the Drama

• Add colour to the character

• Allow the reader more insight into the character

• Help your reader imagine the scene

What do you think they’re saying to each other?

What do you think they’re saying to each other?

What you you think they’re saying to the person in front

of them?

What do you think they’re saying to the person in front of

them?

Addition

“The lagoon was peaceful.”

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• What else about the lagoon would you want to convey to your reader?

Addition

• Look for areas that lack detail, or are underdeveloped

• Add more details that evoke the senses:

• Tell more about how something looks, sounds, feels, smells, or tastes.

Addition

• We were surrounded by an endless picture of serenity—the waters, sky, palace and blue boats all melding into one.

Substitution

!

!

“The old man was nice.”

Substitution

• Pick out weak, vague verbs and adjectives

• Exchange them for stronger, more specific / precise words.

• Also try to substitute explicit adjectives with implicit clues for readers to infer from:

Substitution

• The old man was nice

• Crinkling his eyes, the man gazed fondly at his friend. As his grey hairs danced blithely in the breeze, he smiled one of those rare smiles that truly convey happiness.”