DIALOGUE

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

Quotation Marks
Place quotation marks around the words that are actually spoken (i.e. the words actually coming out of someones mouth).
1. 2. WRONG: Brick said, I love lamp. RIGHT: Brian Fantana said, Theyve done studies60 percent of the time it works every time.

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.

DIALOGUE: THE MECHANICS

New Speaker = New Paragraph
Each time you introduce or change speakers during a dialogue you indicate this shift by starting a new paragraph.
Good afternoon. Are you in need of assistance today, sir? asked Russell. No, said Mr. Fredrickson. Could I help you cross the street? asked Russell. No. Notice:New dialogue always gets a new paragraph no matter how short it is.

DIALOGUE: THE MECHANICS

Capitalization
Capitalize the first word a person says, even if it occurs in the middle of a larger sentence. Rhett Butler turned to Scarlet and said, Frankly, my dear, I dont give a damn.

DIALOGUE: THE PURPOSE

Dialogue should serve a purpose
Develop Character/RelationshipsDialogue provides a unique opportunity to develop a character; it provides unique opportunity to depict someones personality. Add Information/Move Story Forward Dialogue is an opportunity to communicate new information to the reader. Create TensionDrama, drama, drama. Dialogue depicts human interaction (via representing conversations) and as such it can be used to add drama and tension to a scene.

DIALOGUE: THE PURPOSE

(it should have one)
Few things are as boring as bad dialogue.
Adds no information, interest, or tension
How was your day at school, asked Mom. Fine, I said. What classes did you have, she continued. The same as usual, I said. Avoid using a paper writing voice in your dialogue Why, son, how was your daily learning experience at school? asked Mother.

It was rather mediocre, Mother dearest, I replied.

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!

Dialogue Examples courtesy of http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/files/ywp/ywp_10_hs_dialogue.pdf

DIALOGUE & DESCRIPTION

a match made in heaven Dialogue and Description often work hand-in-hand in a narrative. (I.E. Im expecting you to use them to compliment each other in your Literacy Narrative). EXAMPLE: Its all over but the shoutin now, aint it boy, he said, and when he let the quilt slide from his shoulders I saw how he had wasted away, how the bones seemed to poke out of his clothes, and I could see how it killed his pride to look this way, unclean, and he looked away from me for a moment, ashamed. --From Rick Braggs All Over But the Shoutin

DESCRIPTION & DIALOGUE

The difference between an essay and a narrative

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)

Dialoguebe true to the other voices in your narrativecreate characters.

Six-year-olds should talk like six-year-olds Mean teachers should sound and look mean Brisk coaches should sound tough and stern You should sound like younot like how you think you are supposed to sound in a paper

In-Class Dialog Activity

Write a descriptive dialog for this scene. Who are these guys? What might they be saying to each other? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJdF8DJ70Dc

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.