Tayyab Mujahid

Riphah International University,Islamabad

Writing Dialogue

Presented to:Sir Ilyas Baber Awan

Dialogue

By Ms. Taliaferro

My head feels

extremely heavy.

Silly! That’s because our heads are

disproportionate to our bodies.

Dialogue is conversation in a story (or really anytime something is said aloud).

When you write dialogue, you stating a person’s exact words.

Definition

Dialogue makes a story more interesting. It can reveal what a character thinks or feels. It also shows what a character’s like (personality).

Purpose

Start a new paragraph each time a new person speaks.

Make sure readers know who is talking. Give a balanced mix of action and

talking. Let all characters have equal say. Try and resolve the discussion by the

end of the page.

Some basic rules

•The speaker’s words should be set apart from the rest of the sentence with quotation marks (“ ”).•Ex: “How do you do?” asked ALI.

Rules for the Spoken Words

Begin the first word of the spoken part with a capital letter.

Place end punctuation inside the quotation marks.

Ex: “Look at that!” exclaimed Peter.

Rules for Punctuation

A comma separates the speaker (tag) from the spoken words.

Ex: The doctor stated, “I think you will feel better soon.”

Ex: “I think you will feel better soon,” the doctor stated.

More Rules

However, if the dialogue ends in a question mark or an exclamation point, do not add a comma – when the spoken part is before the tag.

Ex: “I can’t believe I’m going to Hawaii!” she shouted.

More Rules

The spoken words are sometimes interrupted in the middle. End the first part of the spoken words with quotation marks. Begin the second with quotation marks. Use commas to separate the spoken words from the tag.

Ex: “It’s too late now,” I said. “We’ll have to come back later.”

Rules Continued

“The phone broke in a month,” said the customer. “I want a refund.” “I’m sorry, sir. You are not entitled to—” “Don’t tell me what I’m entitled to!” yelled the customer. “Replace it or—” The clerk ran into the back room. The manager came out. “If you don’t leave this store right now, sir, I’m going to call the—” “I’m a cop,” the customer blurted. “You could call me, but my phone doesn’t work.”

Customer and clerk argue

Student: May I come in, sir? Teacher: Yes, stand here. Why do you always come late? S: Sir It is the bus which makes me late. T: What time do you leave home? S: I always leave home at quarter to eight. T: How far is your home from here? S: It is about three kilometers from here. T: That is why, you get late. You leave your home very late.

A dialogue between a teacher and a student who

comes late

S: Sir, I take my break fast at 7:30 a.m.T: What time do you get up?S: I get up at about 7:00 a.m.T: Don't you offer your prayer?S: Not regularly.T: My dear. It is a bad habit. Change your routine. Always get up early in the morning. Offer your prayers and go for a morning walk.S: Sir, there is no park near our home.T: No problem. You can walk along the street in the morning time. Take breakfast at right time and then leave for school.S: You are right, sir. From tomorrow, I shall never be late.T: Good. One thing more keep in mind. Regularity and punctuality conquer the mountains.A: Thank you very much for your good advice. Can I sit now, sir?T: Oh Yes, of course.