dialogue (project one)

7/30/2019 Dialogue (Project One)

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DIALOGUE


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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.


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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. WRONG: Brick said, I love lamp.

2. RIGHT: Brian Fantana said, Theyve done studies60

percent of the time it works every time.


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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 thequoted 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.


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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? askedRussell.

No.

Notice:New dialogue always gets a new

paragraph no matter how short it is.


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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, mydear, I dont give a damn.


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DIALOGUE: THE PURPOSE

Dialogue should serve a

purpose Develop Character/RelationshipsDialogue provides a

unique opportunity to develop a character; it providesunique 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 assuch it can be used to add drama and tension to a scene.


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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 atschool? asked Mother.

It was rather mediocre, Mother dearest, I replied.


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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."


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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 along time ago."

Not your whole family, Dave said.

Jerry hung up the phone.


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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


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DIALOGUE & DESCRIPTIONa 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, aintit boy, hesaid, 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


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DESCRIPTION & DIALOGUEThe 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 (insertinspiring 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


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In-Class Dialog ActivityWrite 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
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJdF8DJ70Dchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJdF8DJ70Dchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJdF8DJ70Dchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJdF8DJ70Dc


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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.

dialogue (project one)

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