DIALOGUE

1. DIALOGUE Dialogue is a conversational passage in a narrative or play used to advance the plot or develop the characters.

2. Some writers depend heavily on dialogue. • Especially those who uses the cinematic approach to fiction. This approach is objective as there is little attempt to get directly into the minds of the characters. What you see (and hear) is what you get. • Function of dialogue: • Tell us what characters are like, what they think, what others think of them & their mood. This help readers to empathize with the characters. • It can reveal past, current & future actions. • It can tell us about things that are going on offstage.

3. There is a standard form in which dialogue is written. Punctuation 1) Quotation marks - All speech is placed between (double) quotation marks "How many kids, Bill?" (‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson)

4. - To stress on any phrase within a dialogue, single quotation mark is used: "There's a flash in your eye and a ring to your voice, occasionally, which made me suspect that you had fire and energy enough if you only chose to show it, and the spirit with which you have just executed the 'Morgan Quick step'proves that I was right," returned Belle, laughing. (‘Scarlet Stockings’ by Louisa May Alcott)

5. - If a quotation spills out over more than one paragraph, end quotation mark is not used at the close of the first paragraph, but when a character is done speaking "I don't like Cindy," Mark said. "I told her it was about to rain, but she turned to Biff and asked him, 'What do we do now?' instead of asking me. "Now, if you ask me, Cindy's a bit snooty. She thinks she's too good for me, that I don't know anything except that it's going to rain. Well, let me tell you, I know a lot more than that! "I know, for instance, that if it had happened in Antarctica, that rain would have been snow!"

6. 2) Capital letters - The first word inside the quotation mark must begin with capital letter "Seems like there's no time at all between lotteries any more," Mrs. Delacroix said to Mrs. Graves in the back row. (‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson) 3) Comma - Comma has to go inside the quotation marks, "Go tell your father," Mrs. Dunbar said to her older son.

7. - When a tag interrupts a sentence, it should be separated by commas - The first letter of the second half of the sentence is in lower case "Well," Mr. Summers said, "guess that's everyone. Old Man Warner make it?“ 4) Question marks - Question marks goes inside the quotation mark if it is directly a part of the material within the quotes "How many kids, Bill?" Mr. Summers asked formally.

8. - Question mark goes outside the quotation marks if it is not part of the material being quoted Did he say, “We should all go to the movies”? (‘Where I’m Calling From’ by Raymond Carver)

9. Dialogue Tags - Dialogue tag like ‘he said/she said’ enable readers to recognize who is doing the talking - When only two characters doing the conversation, a dialogue tag is used only when the first time a character speaks “Where did you get your pencil?” Zahid inquired. “My father bought it for me yesterday.” “Why did you scrape all the paint off?” "So it wouldn’t look like yours.” (‘The Pencil’ by Ali Majod)

10. - The verbs for dialogue tags can be varied such as ‘he commanded,’ ‘she shouted,’ ‘he exclaimed,’ ‘he asked,’ or ‘he answered’ - But it should be evident by the words spoken and the punctuation “Zahid and Dolah, come up in front!” The teacher commanded in a threatening tone. - Dialogue tags can be in the form of combination with action relating to the speaking character “People who are short and small are always very sensitive,” Mr. Berahim said, with a twinkle in his eyes.

11. Paragraphing - Every time a character speaks, it starts a new paragraph She whispered, “I am not a crazy person!” Ben set his lips. “Not until you admit you’re a crazy person.” “No,” she said. (‘Slamming On Pig’s Misery’ by Alice Schell) - If one character speaks, then performs an action, and then speaks again later, it can remain in the same paragraph “Hush your mouth,” Bean said. He straightened up and peered into Evvie’s shut face, his voice a low whine. “How are we supposed to get a look if you don’t spread your self out?”

12. Direct dialogue - Direct dialogue goes inside double quotation marks and usually include dialogue tag He said, "I wish they'd hurry." (‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson) - Every time a speaker changes in direct dialogue, we must start a new paragraph. "Some places have already quit lotteries." Mrs. Adams said. "Nothing but trouble in that," Old Man Warner said stoutly.

13. Indirect dialogue - is a description or summary of what was said. - Indirect dialogue does not use quotation marks, but uses dialogue tag He said he was preparing for an examination. (‘The Pencil’ by Ali Majod) - If the question includes, ‘be’, ‘do’ or ‘can’ question, we use ‘if’ with the tag. Question mark is not used Direct dialogue : “Did you steal my pencil?” Indirect dialogue : Zahid asked Dolah if he stole the pencil.

14. - If the question has words like –WH questions, those words are used with dialogue tag. Question mark is not used Direct dialogue : “Why were you two boys fighting?” Indirect dialogue : He asked why the two boys were fighting. - Indirect dialog changes the pronouns and verbs from the original dialog to match the rest of the sentence Direct dialogue : “I wantto give you a present.” Indirect dialogue : Mr. Berahim said he wanted to give Zahid a present.