Using DialogueLanguage Arts 7

Many stories include the actual conversation between characters.

This is dialogue.

Dialogue can add a lot to a story and it should always have a purpose.

Dialogue has a purpose

Example:

"Let's go to the store," said Jason. "Frank and Mark said they'd meet us there."

This is an example of dialogue that is moving the plot along because now the characters are going to the store.

Dialogue can move the plot along

Example:

"You need to apologize," said mother."No!" screamed Jane. "I will never say I'm sorry and you can't make me!“

This is an example of dialogue that reveals something about the character. We see that she is stubborn and has a bad temper.

Dialogue can assist in characterization

Example (from Underground to Canada):

"Julilly," Liza mumbled, "I think my own bones has come loose, and is rattlin' around in this sack."..."Freedom ain't easy, Massa Ross." Liza sounded again like the sullen, angry girl of the long-ago slave cabin on the Riley plantation. "Even you got put in jail, and your face don't look so well.“

Liza's words help create the feeling of the south, where she's from. Her speech pattern and choice of words adds to the realism.

Dialogue can help set the mood or indicate the setting.

Example:

"What do you want to do today?" asked Fran."I don't know. What do you want to do?" replied Janet."I don't know either," said Fran."Ok," said Janet.

This is an example of pointless dialogue. There is really no purpose to it and it makes the piece boring.

Avoid pointless dialogue in your own writing!

The rules for how to write dialogue can be confusing.

Examine the examples on the following slides to clarify your understanding.

Rules for Writing and Punctuating Dialogue

Example:

"Hurry up!" yelled Craig. <--Craig's exact words are "Hurry up!“

Craig told her to hurry up. <--These are not the exact words so no quotation marks.

Only the direct words spoken by the character should be in quotation marks.

Example:

◦ "We're going to be late, " complained Colleen. "I hate being late. Everyone stares at you when you walk in." Colleen glared at her brother as he put on his shoes.

◦ "You're such a worrier!" said Mark as he rolled his eyes.

◦ "Come on! Let's go!" urged Colleen.

Notice that Colleen and Mark don't speak in the same paragraph.

Start a new paragraph for each new speaker (1 speaker per paragraph)

Example:

"Mr. Jones," Amy pleaded, "I forgot my permission slip for the field trip!"

"I'm sorry then. You can't go without parental consent."

Not necessary each time you change speakers, but you do need to distinguish who is speaking periodically to avoid confusion.

Not necessary to write ‘said Mr Jones’ because it's obvious from the preceding paragraph that Amy is talking to him.

Make sure we know who is speaking.

The speech tag is the part of the sentence where you identify who the speaker is and how he/she said it (ex: he said).

Proper punctuation and capitals depend on where the speech tag is.

Speech Tags

He shouted

She asked

Use a comma after the speech tag, EXCEPT if it's at the end of the sentence.

If it's at the end of the sentence, use a period. Look at the red punctuation below.

Steve said, "Good morning ladies and gentlemen.”

"Ladies and gentlemen," said Steve, "good morning.”

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, " said Steve.

Punctuation and speech tags

The first word in the quotation mark should be capitalized, EXCEPT if the quoted sentence has been split in half.

Steve said, "Good morning ladies and gentlemen.“

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen," said Steve.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said Steve, "good morning."

Notice that the 'g' in good morning is not capitalized because the quote has been broken in half by the speech tag.

Capitalization & Quotation Marks

Punctuation should go on the inside of the quotation mark.

Steve said, "Good morning ladies and gentlemen!”

" Good morning ladies and gentlemen," said Steve

"Ladies and gentlemen," said Steve, "good morning."

Notice all the punctuation is inside quotation marks. The same would apply to question marks too.

Punctuation & Quotation Marks

No periods at the end of a quote unless that quote comes at the end of a sentence.

Exclamation marks, question marks and commas are ok, but not periods.

Ladies and gentlemen," said Steve, "good morning."

"Good morning," said Steve.

"Good morning!" said Steve.

"How are you?" asked Steve.

End punctuation & location

Notice how you don't use a period in any of these examples?

Dialogue can add a lot to your writing if you use it with

purpose!