Dialogue is an important element of fiction because it gives a greater insight into characters, shows how they interact, and makes for a more dynamic form of story telling.Ernest Hemingway and Raymond Carver use a lot of dialogue, but other writers use it less.It's important to know how to say something in your writing.A few basic rules can make your writing look professional.
Step 1: There is a dialogue tag at the end of the sentence.
When you're writing dialogue, the most important thing to remember is to put the dialogue that was said in quotes, and to end it with a colon if you want to tag it or attribute it to a speaker.The name and pronoun of the person who said it is the most common way to conjugate dialogue.Mary said she wanted to spend all day reading in bed.Tom said that he has to go to work.Mary said you can get some rest over the weekend.
Step 2: Punctuate a sentence that starts with a dialogue tag.
The same rules apply when you start a sentence with a dialogue tag, but you'll be using a verb and a noun at the beginning of the sentence, followed by a period or another form of closing punctuation, and another quote.Mary said she would have cupcakes for breakfast, but Tom said it was not the healthiest option.Which is what makes it appealing.
Step 3: A dialogue tag is in the middle of a sentence.
A dialogue tag in the middle is another way to make a statement.While continuing the sentence, this is a way to create a pause.If you want to introduce the second half of the sentence instead of using a period at the end, you should tag the first part as you normally would.It's important to remember that you shouldn't use the second half of the same sentence or thought."I would like to go running, but I'd rather sit in this rocking chair," Mary said, "but sometimes running may be just the thing you need."
Step 4: Punctuate a sentence with a dialogue tag.
If you use a period at the end and start a new sentence without attributing the dialogue to anyone, you can add another way to finish dialogue.The person is speaking in the same way.Mary said that the new girl in school seemed nice.Tom thought she was a little bit stuck up.Mary said she didn't know about that.I like to give people a chance.You should try it.
Step 5: Dialogue without a tag.
A lot of dialogue doesn't need to be tagged.It should be obvious who the speaker is.It becomes more clear who is talking when you mention the people who are speaking next to the sentences they speak.You don't want your readers to try to figure out who is speaking in a two-person conversation with unattributed dialogue.You don't want to get redundant when you say "she said" or "he said."Mary fiddled with her pen.Tom was looking down at the floor.I can say it because I feel it.Tom, this isn't working.How can you not see it?
Step 6: Talk with a question mark.
Simply place the question mark before the end quote, replacing the usual period you would use.The tricky part is that, though it may look strange, you should tag the dialogue with a lower-cased " said" or another speaking verbs, because this will still technically be part of the same sentence.You can either tag the question at the beginning of the sentence or leave it out altogether.Mary asked why he didn't come to her birthday party.Tom thought we had been broken up.Tom asked, "Aren't we?" "What better excuse to ditch someone's party?"
Step 7: Say something with an exclamation mark.
To use an exclamation mark in your sentences, follow the same protocol you would use to use a period or question mark.Most writers tell you that the sentence and story itself should convey excitement, and that exclamation marks should be used less.An occasional exclamation mark never hurt anyone.Mary said she couldn't wait for summer to be over so she could go back to school.Tom agreed.Mary said, "You're telling me!"In this month alone, I've started three ant collections.
Step 8: Dialogue can be Punctuate with quotes inside.
This won't be used a lot, but it can be useful to know how to add quotes to dialogue.Just use a single quote at the end and beginning of the quoted phrase, which could be the name of a work of art or a quote attributed to another person.Mary said her favorite Hemingway story is "Hills Like White Elephants".Tom asked if his English teacher said it was the world's most boring story.
Step 9: Dialogue that is interrupted.
If you want to be believable, the two characters won't always wait their turn to speak.They interrupt each other in the same way real people do.If you want to show this interruption, you can use a dash at the end of the interrupted sentence, provide the sentence that is interrupted the original speaker, and then use the dash if it is picked up again.Tom said, "I thought about calling, but I got too busy and Mary said she was tired of your excuses."Tom said this was different.I promise.
Step 10: Punctuation of a sentence that uses indirect dialogue.
Dialogue can be said without being explicitly stated or placed in quotes.To get across the general idea that it was said, it's not important to state exactly what each character said.It can offer some relief to readers who are tired of reading dialogue and it can also be a way to avoid directly stating something that is better off explained indirectly.He told her he didn't like going to the park.She didn't care if he came with her or not.She had to stop being so sensitive.
Step 11: A dialogue tag is used to indicate a pause.
Break up a sentence with a dialogue tag to indicate a pause or to show the character is struggling to find something to say.Not everyone can come up with the perfect statement on command, so this can add tension to a conversation and make it feel more realistic at times.Sarah said, here are some examples.Jerry said he knew there was nothing left to say.I wanted you to figure it out for yourself.
Step 12: Multiple sentences are used inuate dialogue.
It's not necessary to tag every single sentence of dialogue or to make it so every character only says one sentence before another character speaks.You can show this by quoting one sentence after another until the character is done speaking, or you can attribute the dialogue to a character using a tag.I've had such a long day.Mary said who wants to go see an improvisers troupe with her.Jake would rather hang out with his dog than work.He's powerless without me.
Step 13: Dialogue that carries over into multiple paragraphs.
A character may speak for a long time.You should open the quote for the first paragraph, write down what the character says, and end the paragraph with either a period, a question, or an exclamation mark.Continue until the character is done speaking, then start the second paragraph with an open quote.When this happens, close the quote with end punctuation you would normally use.I've really wanted to tell you about my friend Bill, he's such a crazy guy.Bill sold his cactus farm to live on a sailboat.He decided to swim across the Atlantic ocean instead of building a castle after selling his boat.
Step 14: Punctuate dialogue with dashes as tags.
Some countries don't use quotes to indicate that characters are talking.Russia, France, and Spain use the dash to indicate that someone is talking instead.You don't need to tag the dialogue or trust the reader to understand it in this method.It's important that you use it consistently throughout the piece of writing.If you're committed to it, it can create an interesting effect.I guess I will have to get going.That's fine by me.Then, so long.
Step 15: Use verbs other than " said" to tag dialogue.
If it feels more appropriate, you can sometimes use a different dialogue tag.Sometimes you can use other verbs for a breath of fresh air, like when you say "inquired" or "questioned."Lacy told her she had a crush on her yoga teacher.Mary asked if he was too old for her.