Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
DIALOGUE
Dialogue is conversation between two or more people. We all recognize dialogue in a text when we see it.
How are you today? asked Michelle. I think I may have caught the bubonic plague, replied Jacob.
However, most of us may not know the rules for constructing dialogue.
Dialogue-The Mechanics
Ending Punctuation
If the sentence ends with quoted material, place the punctuation mark inside the quotation marks.
Colonel Jessep shouted, You cant handle the truth!
If the sentence does not end with the quotation, place appropriate punctuation at the end of the sentence and place a comma at the end of the quoted material.
Im a man who knows how to get things, replied Red.
! and ? If you want the punctuation to add expression to the quoted material (the spoken words) then the ! or ? go inside the quotation marks.
You
cant handle the truth! shouted Colonel Jessep. Who is the murderer? asked Hercule Poirot.
GOOD EXAMPLES
Dialogue that shows the relationship between characters: "What's the capital of Spain?" Jerry asked, pausing over his crossword puzzle. Susan looked up from her book and rolled her eyes. "Madrid, duh. "Why are you so sarcastic all the time? Jerry slammed his pencil on table. He looked like he was going to cry. I don't think I can take much more of this."
GOOD EXAMPLES
Dialogue that moves the story forward:
The phone rang, and Jerry picked it up. "Hello?" There was a moment of silence on the other end. "Is this Jerry Simmons?" a male voice asked. "Yeah. Who is this?" The man paused. Jerry could hear him take a deep breath. "Jerry, my name is Dave. Im your brother "If this is a prank, it isnt funny, Jerry said. My family died a long time ago." Not your whole family, Dave said. Jerry hung up the phone.
GOOD EXAMPLES
Dialogue that increases the tension: "Dave!" Jerry shouted. "We've got to get away from here! The building's gonna blow!" "We've got to go back!" Dave screamed. "Why?" Dave pointed at the roof. "Susan's still up there!
Description and Dialogue help add a unique and personal tone to your narrativesomething a traditional essay does not allow. They change the voice (polished, but not formal)
Descriptionbe funny, be silly, be true to your own voice (insert
inspiring music here)
HOMEWORK
Remember, no conferences tomorrow For Thursday, come prepared to work on your memoir: in-class writing/outlining day. Have a clear idea in mind for your memoir topic, because I will be meeting with each of you to discuss it.