Dialogue

1. Dialogue 10/29

2. Dialogue – anything spoken aloud by a character Tags – with dialogue, statements to ID the speaker Ex: she said; he screamed; she cried

3. Dialogue in Creative Writing • Put quotation marks (“”) around everything a character says outloud. • Typically, anything a character is thinking is put in italics.

4. Dialogue in Creative Writing 3. Use a comma to break dialogue from prose: • After a quote: “Thank you for your help,” she said. (inside) • Before a quote: She said, “Thank you for your help.” (outside) • In the middle of a quote: “Thank you,” she said, “for your help.” (both)

5. Dialogue in Creative writing 4. When putting a tag between two sentences, you need a comma AND a period: “I’m having a rough day,” she said. “I think I’m going to go home and take a nap.”

6. Dialogue in Creative Writing 5. Commas are not needed when ending a quote with exclamation points or question marks. • “Thanks!” she said. • “What was that?” she asked.

7. Dialogue in Creative Writing 6. Every time a new character speaks, start a new paragraph. If it’s the same character, you may continue without indenting. • “What time is it?” she asked. “Twelve-thirty,” he replied. vs. • “What time is it?” she asked. “I have an appointment at one.”

8. Dialogue in creative writing 7. Use dashes to indicate an abrupt break in speech or an unfinished statement. “I think you’re a total --” “Shut up!” she interrupted.

9. Dialogue in creative writing 8. Use ellipses (…) to indicate pauses or hesitations in dialogue. “Do you want to go with me?” “Well…” - “Where were you on the night of November 27th?!” “I was…um…at my mom’s house! Yeah, my mom’s house.”

10. Dialogue in creative writing ************************************************ 9. Don’t use all caps to convey emotion. Use descriptions instead. “I HATE YOU!!” Vs. “I hate you!” she screamed, shoving him and punching him weakly while sobbing in frustration.