Dialogue Writing Format, Structure and Examples
- 6.1Format of Dialogue Writing
- 6.2Punctuation in Dialogue
- 6.3Points to be Remember while Writing Dialogue
- 7.1Examples from Well-known Movies and TV Shows.
- 7.2Example for Short Dialogue Writing in English
- 11.1Here you Go—Check if your Answers Match the Ones Below!
Dialogue writing is a key part of storytelling and communication, where characters have conversations with each other. It's not just about writing words; it's about making those conversations feel real and engaging. Good dialogue can bring characters to life, show their emotions, and move the story forward. This page will help you understand what dialogue writing is, how to create natural and interesting conversations, and provide tips and examples to improve your skills. Whether you’re writing a story, a play, or even a script, learning how to write effective dialogues is crucial.
What is Dialogue Writing?
If you want to write a story, dialogues are a very important part of the story. Writing a good dialogue requires a set of rules to follow because a bad dialogue can change the story and the dialogue’s meaning as well. Dialogue writing is a very important part of English writing.
Dialogue is basically a conversation between two or more people. In fiction, it is a verbal conversation between two or more conversations. Sometimes it is a self-talking dialogue, they are known as a Monolog.
If the dialogue is bad the reader will put the book down. Without effective dialogues, the whole plot of the story will collapse on its own structure. Therefore, writing dialogue in a way that attracts the reader to be more involved in the story is not a daunting task. We will guide you to write impactful dialogue with correct rules.
The Purpose of Dialogue Writing
Why do you think dialogue is important in a story, play, or film? Is it essential to include dialogues, or can a story be told just through narration? In some stories, a narrator or one of the characters may tell the story from their point of view. How does adding dialogue change the way the story is presented compared to just having a narrator?
Using dialogue along with stage directions instead of just narration is often a more effective writing technique. It helps readers understand the characters better by showing their personalities and giving them a distinct voice. Dialogue reveals how characters feel, what they think, and their background, making it easier for readers to connect with them on a personal level.
Writing dialogue also allows writers to be creative and even break some traditional grammar rules. For example, they might stretch out a word, use capital letters, or add extra question marks or exclamation marks to highlight emotions, like this: YESSSS!!
Another important part of dialogue writing is including stage directions. These are brief notes in brackets that show what a character is doing while speaking, such as: Dan (rubbing his eyes): I am still tired.
Types of Dialogue
Dialogue can be divided into two main types:
1. Inner Dialogue: Inner dialogue involves a character’s private thoughts that aren’t spoken out loud. These are the thoughts a character has while another character is speaking or reflecting on what’s happening. Inner dialogue is not put in quotation marks.
2. Outer Dialogue: Outer dialogue consists of the words spoken out loud by characters. It includes everything the characters say to each other during their conversation and is placed within quotation marks.
Basic Rules for Discussion All Writers should Follow
Here are some basic rules for writing a conversation:
Each speaker receives a new category - Every time someone speaks, he shows this by creating a new category. Yes, even if your characters say only one word, they get new categories.
Each category has an indent - The only exception to this is at the beginning of the chapter or after the break, where the first line has not been postponed, including the discussion.
The punctuation marks are inserted into the quotes - Whenever punctuation is part of the spoken word, it enters the quotation marks so that the reader can know how the dialogue is spoken.
Long sentences with few paragraphs do not have end quotations - You’ll see a lot of this below, but overall, when one character speaks for a long time with different categories, the quotation marks are eventually removed, but you start the next paragraph with them.
Use singular quotes when a speaker quotes another - If a character is present who says, “Rohan, do you like it when girls say,‘ I’m fine ’?”, One quote shows what someone else said.
Skip the small talk and focus on the important information only - Unless that little talk is accompanied by character development, skip and get to the point, this is not real life and you will feel very liable if you have too much.
Format of Dialogue Writing
New Paragraph for Every Speaker: Every speaker gets a new paragraph. Each time a speaker says something, you have to put in a fresh paragraph, even if it is just one word.
Punctuations Come under Quotation Marks: All the punctuations used with dialogue must be put under the quotes.
Remove End Quote if the Paragraph is Long: If the paragraph of dialogue is too long and you need to change the paragraph, then there is no need to put end quotes.
Dialogue Tags: Dialogue tags i.e. He says/she says are always written outside the dialogue and is separated by a comma. When dialogue ends in a question or exclamation mark, tags that follow start in lower case.
For eg- He says, “We should start our own business.”
Use Single Quotation Mark to Quote Something with a Dialogue: If you have to quote something within a dialogue we should put single quotes as double quotes are already enclosing the main dialogue.
For eg- Bill shouted, “ ‘boo!’ you lost the game.
The Dialogue Ends with an Ellipsis: If the Dialogue ends with an ellipsis, we should not add a comma or any other punctuation. For eg- She stared at the sunset. “I guess you’ll go back to doing what you do and I will…” her voice drifted off.
Punctuation in Dialogue
Punctuation is essential for making dialogue clear and understandable. Here’s how to properly punctuate dialogue:
Character’s Name: Use a colon after a character’s name to show they are speaking. Sometimes a hyphen is used instead of a colon. For example:
John: “Let’s start the meeting.”
John - “Let’s start the meeting.”
Capital Letters: Always start a character’s name with a capital letter since it’s a proper noun. This applies even to titles like "villager" or "student 1."
Quotation Marks: Place dialogue within double quotation marks.
Quotes within Quotes: If a character is quoting someone else, use single quotation marks for the inner quote. For example: “Don’t you think Rakesh saying ‘I will take the lead’ has some hidden agenda?”
Punctuation Marks: Place any punctuation marks (like question marks or exclamation points) inside the quotation marks. For example: “Are you coming?” she asked.
Dialogue Tags: Use tags like ‘he said’ to show who is speaking. Place the tag inside the dialogue with a comma before it. For example: “Do you know,” he asked, “who the new manager is?”
Tag Placement: If the dialogue tag is at the beginning, start it with a capital letter. Place a comma after the tag, and then use double quotation marks for the dialogue, starting with a capital letter. For example: Josh mumbled, “Nobody understands the main problem here.”
Ending with Tags: If the dialogue tag comes at the end, place the quotation marks first, then the tag, which should not be capitalized. For example: “Are you coming with us?” Sarah asked.
Interruptions: Use a dash to show an interruption in dialogue. For example: “I was wondering—”
“Are you ready to go?”
Actions in Dialogue: You can include actions or body language between dialogue lines. For example: “I am not interested.” She shrugged. “But, I will do it just for you.”
Points to be Remember while Writing Dialogue
The students need to read the preceding and the following dialogues.
They must understand the topic well and make points.
The tenses should be accurate according to the dialogue.
It should seem like a natural conversation.
The words used should not be vague and should convey the message.
Dialogue Writing Examples
To help you grasp and understand the art of dialogue writing, here are examples from well-known stories, plays, movies, and TV shows.
Example 1 From "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare:
Juliet’s dialogue reflects her deep emotional conflict about Romeo’s identity and the barriers posed by their family names.
The use of poetic language underscores the intensity of Juliet’s feelings and the dramatic nature of their love.
Example 2 From "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle:
Sherlock Holmes’s dialogue emphasizes his logical approach to solving mysteries and his ability to deduce answers from small details.
The phrase “Elementary, my dear Watson” showcases Holmes’s confidence and the simplicity with which he views his deductive process.
Example 3 From "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery:
Anne’s enthusiastic dialogue reveals her imaginative and hopeful personality, highlighting her excitement about sharing experiences.
The dialogue captures Anne’s ability to find joy and beauty in everyday situations, reflecting her vibrant character.
Example 4 From "The Diary of Anne Frank" by Anne Frank:
Anne’s diary entry reveals her resilience and determination to focus on positive aspects despite the dire circumstances of hiding.
The dialogue underscores Anne’s inner strength and hope, demonstrating her desire to hold onto optimism in challenging times.
Example 5 From "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare:
Lady Macbeth’s dialogue reveals her guilt and mental turmoil following the murder of King Duncan, showcasing her inner conflict.
The use of exclamatory and repetitive language highlights her desperation and the psychological consequences of her actions.
Examples from Well-known Movies and TV Shows.
Example 1 From "The Godfather" (1972):
Vito Corleone: “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
This line highlights Vito Corleone’s power and the ominous nature of his influence.
Example 2 From "Casablanca" (1942):
Rick Blaine: “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
This simple but poignant line reflects Rick’s affection and the bittersweet farewell in the film.
Example 3 From "Friends" (TV Show):
Ross Geller: “We were on a break!”
This catchphrase encapsulates Ross’s perspective on a key plot point, leading to ongoing comedic conflict throughout the series.
Example 4 From "Breaking Bad" (TV Show):
Walter White: “I am not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot, and you think that of me? No. I am the one who knocks!”
This line illustrates Walter White’s transformation into a formidable figure and his assertion of power.
Example 5 From "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994):
Andy Dufresne: “Get busy living, or get busy dying.”
This dialogue reflects Andy’s philosophy and determination to make the most of his life despite his imprisonment.
Example for Short Dialogue Writing in English
Situation: Two colleagues, Alex and Jamie, discuss their lunch plans at work.
Alex: “Hey Jamie, what’s your plan for lunch today?”
Jamie: “I was thinking of getting a sandwich from the deli. How about you?”
Alex: “I’m in the mood for some pizza. Want to join me?”
Jamie: “Sure! There’s a new pizza place around the corner. Let’s try it out.”
Alex: “Sounds good! Let’s meet in the lobby at noon.”
Jamie: “Perfect. See you then!”
Tips to Write Dialogue
Speak out the Dialogue loudly as it will help you resonate on your own dialogue and make you understand how it will sound to the reader.
Keep your dialogue brief and impactful as adding extra details will only deviate the reader’s mind from the main point.
Give each character a unique way of talking or voice. It will add an extra character trait and readers can identify the character just by reading his dialogue.
While writing the dialogue always remember whom the dialogue is being addressed to.
Dialogues should not be lengthy and confusing for the readers as through the dialogue only the story moves.
Dialogue Writing Format
New Paragraph for Every Speaker: Every speaker gets a new paragraph. Each time a speaker says something, you have to put in a fresh paragraph, even if it is just one word.
Punctuations Come under Quotation Marks: All the punctuations used with dialogue must be put under the quotes.
Remove End Quote if the Paragraph is Long: If the paragraph of dialogue is too long and you need to change the paragraph, then there is no need to put end quotes.
Dialogue Tags: Dialogue tags i.e. He says/she says are always written outside the dialogue and is separated by a comma. When dialogue ends in a question or exclamation mark, tags that follow start in lower case.
For eg- He says, “We should start our own business.”
Use Single Quotation Mark to Quote Something with a Dialogue: If you have to quote something within a dialogue we should put single quotes as double quotes are already enclosing the main dialogue.
For eg- Bill shouted, “ ‘boo!’ you lost the game.
The Dialogue Ends with an Ellipsis: If the Dialogue ends with an ellipsis, we should not add a comma or any other punctuation. For eg- She stared at the sunset. “I guess you’ll go back to doing what you do and I will…” her voice drifted off.
Solved Example
Here is a solved example for better understanding about dialogue writing
1. Write a Dialogue between You and Your Teacher about which Course to Study at Vacations.
Student- Good Morning Sir, how are you?
Teacher- I am completely fine. What about you?
Student- I was wondering which course to learn in my vacation.
Teacher- It can be confusing with so many options online. You should make a list and narrow it down as per your interest.
Student- I have tried that but still I am left with three options- Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning or Data science.
Teacher- Well! All of them are very interesting courses, but as far as I remember you have always been interested in Artificial Intelligence.
Student- Yes! I do because I feel it is our future.
Teacher- Well then its no harm in pursuing it and later if you find it less interesting you can always switch.
Student- Yes it sounds like a great idea. Thanks!
To know more simple tricks and tips of Dialogue Writing please refer to the Youtube video provided by Vedantu. And it is completely FREE.
Test your Knowledge on Dialogue Writing
Task 1: Character Conversations:
Write a dialogue between two characters in a given situation (e.g., two friends discussing their weekend plans or a teacher scolding a student for missing homework).
Objective: Practice creating natural and engaging conversations that reflect the characters' personalities and emotions.
Task 2: Complete the following Dialogues-
Megha calls up Rajat to make a plan for New years. Complete the dialogue between Megha and Rajat by filling in the gaps.
Megha : (i) ………………….. this New year?
Rajat: I don’t have any plans.
Megha: How do you like the idea (ii) …………………. the Sapna’s party?
Rajat: That sounds fantastic, But I (iii) ………………….my parent’s permission.
Megha: I’ll come to your house this evening and request your parents to allow you to join me to go to a party.
Rajat: Ok.
Megha : (iv) …………………….. in the evening?
Rajat: Yes. They will be at home.
Rohit: Then I’ll surely come.
Task 3: Inner vs. Outer Dialogue:
Write a scene with both inner and outer dialogue. Include a character’s spoken words and their internal thoughts.
Objective: Practice differentiating between what characters say out loud and what they think privately.
Here you Go—Check if your Answers Match the Ones Below!
Task 1:
Situation: Two friends discussing their weekend plans.
Characters: Emma and Jake
Dialogue:
Emma: “Hey Jake, what are you up to this weekend? I was thinking we could go hiking if the weather’s nice.”
Jake: “That sounds great, Emma! I’ve been wanting to get outdoors. But I have to check if I have my old hiking boots. They might be buried in the garage somewhere.”
Emma: “Oh, I hope you find them! It’s going to be fun. We could pack a picnic too. What do you think?”
Jake: “Absolutely! A picnic sounds perfect. I’ll bring some sandwiches and maybe a few snacks. Are you in charge of drinks?”
Emma: “Sure thing. I’ll bring some juice and water. Oh, and should we invite Sam? He might want to join us.”
Jake: “Good idea. Sam’s always up for an adventure. I’ll give him a call and see if he’s free.”
Emma: “Awesome! Let’s plan to meet at my place around 8 AM. We can start early and make the most of the day.”
Jake: “Sounds like a plan. I’m really looking forward to it. Thanks for suggesting this!”
Emma: “No problem! It’s going to be a blast. I’ll see you Saturday!”
Task 2:
Megha: (i) “What are you doing for this New Year?”
Rajat: “I don’t have any plans.”
Megha: “How do you like the idea (ii) of going to Sapna’s party?”
Rajat: “That sounds fantastic, but I (iii) need to get my parent’s permission.”
Megha: “I’ll come to your house this evening and request your parents to allow you to join me at the party.”
Rajat: “Ok.”
Megha: (iv) “Will they be home in the evening?”
Rajat: “Yes. They will be at home.”
Megha: “Then I’ll surely come.”
Task 3:
Situation: Sarah and Tom are having a conversation at a coffee shop. Sarah is nervous about an upcoming job interview, but she tries to stay calm in front of Tom.
Characters: Sarah and Tom
Dialogue:
Tom: “You seem a bit off today, Sarah. Are you alright?”
Sarah: “Oh, I’m fine. Just a little tired from all the preparations.” (Inner Dialogue: “I’m actually so nervous I can barely think straight. What if I mess up the interview? This job means so much to me.”)
Tom: “Well, you’ve been working really hard. I’m sure you’ll do great.”
Sarah: “Thanks, Tom. I really hope so. I’ve been rehearsing my answers and doing a lot of research.” (Inner Dialogue: “What if they ask me something I haven’t prepared for? I’m going to look like a fool.”)
Tom: “I’m sure you’ll handle it perfectly. You’ve got this!”
Sarah: “I appreciate your confidence in me. It really helps to hear that.” (Inner Dialogue: “I wish I could be as confident as Tom. Maybe I’m not cut out for this job after all.”)
Tom: “How about we go over some of your interview questions together? It might make you feel more prepared.”
Sarah: “That’s a great idea! Let’s do that.” (Inner Dialogue: “I hope this helps. I need to calm down and focus on preparing.”)
Here are some Dialogue Writing topics for preparation. Go through these topics and write dialogues on your own to test your understanding.
Friends Planning a Trip: Two friends discuss their plans for a weekend getaway. Include their excitement and concerns about the trip.
A Teacher and Student Discussing a Grade: A student talks to their teacher about their recent test grade and seeks advice on improving.
A Parent and Child Arguing About Curfew: A teenager tries to convince their parents to extend their curfew time for a special event.
A Doctor and Patient Discussing Treatment Options: A doctor explains different treatment options to a patient who is uncertain about their next steps.
Two Neighbors Complaining About Noise: Neighbors have a conversation about loud noises coming from one of their houses and find a solution.
A Job Interview Scenario: A job candidate answers questions during an interview, highlighting their qualifications and experiences.
Planning a Surprise Party: Friends discuss and make plans for a surprise birthday party, including who to invite and what to buy.
A Customer and Store Clerk Handling a Return: A customer returns an item to a store and discusses the reason for the return with the clerk.
Two Siblings Arguing Over a Shared Resource: Siblings debate over who gets to use a shared computer or TV and find a compromise.
A Pair of Roommates Discussing Household Chores: Roommates discuss dividing up household chores and responsibilities to ensure a fair arrangement.
Takeaways from this Page
Learn how to create unique voices for different characters. Dialogue helps show each character’s personality and emotions.
Use dialogue to reveal information about the plot and characters. Instead of telling the reader what’s happening, let characters show it through their conversations.
Combine dialogue with action and description. This helps create a vivid scene where readers can see and hear what’s happening.
Differentiate between what characters say out loud and what they think privately. This helps create a deeper understanding of characters and adds complexity to the narrative.
FAQs on Dialogue Writing in English
1. Can we write dialogues without Quotes?
No, a quotation mark is very important as it distinguishes between the rest of the text and dialogues. The characters who speak the dialogues are an important source of the quotes because of which we are required to put quotes in the dialogues. Quotations add life to the dialogues by making them more realistic and genuine. It ensures that the interpersonal skills of the people using dialogues is improved. It is an interpersonal discourse with members of your society or your house.
2. What are Dialogue Tags?
Dialogue tags are the phrases like, “he said”, “She said'', they attribute the speaker to the dialogue so that the reader always knows who is speaking the dialogue. Dialogue tags are the short lines in a sentence that are used to identify the speaker. The main function of a Dialogue tag in dialogue writing is for identifying who is speaking. The Vedantu website provides all the guidelines as to how the dialogue writing must be planned. Until you use a proper noun, the dialogue tag will not be capitalized. You have to end the dialogue with punctuation marks inside quotes.
3. What is Ellipsis in a dialogue?
Three dots are used at the end of the sentence to show that something has been omitted. Using ellipses in dialogues is done to indicate a disruption at the end of a line of dialogue. The general rule of adding ellipses at the end of dialogue or line is to indicate that a speaker faltered before completing his or her statement. Ellipses are the most passive-aggressive of all the punctuation marks as when they are used in casual conversation, ellipses connote hesitation, confusion, and apathy.
4. What is the Purpose of Dialogue writing?
Dialogues are referred to as the conversations between two or more characters and it’s called a monolog if there is only one character speaking which is sometimes used in plays. There are several factors on which the character speaking depends.
Where they live
The period in which they live
Their age
The dialogue should move the story forward. It may increase suspense, show readers a trait(s) of the character(s), and/or change the situation or conflict the characters are in.
5. Why choose Vedantu to refer to the rules of dialogue writing?
Till now the students must have reviewed the entire website of Vedantu and also must have found the answers to whatever they must search for. Vedantu without any doubt is the best website as it provides comprehensive solutions to all the doubts of the students. The experts at Vedantu are not only providing concepts related to the base building of the students but also are giving the students the ability and urge to read and write more. Hence, the students are highly recommended to use Vedantu.
6. What is dialogue writing?
Dialogue writing is the way characters talk to each other in a story, play, or script. It shows their conversations and helps reveal their personalities and emotions.
7. Why is dialogue important in a story?
Dialogue helps readers understand what characters are like, what they’re feeling, and how they interact with others. It also moves the story forward and makes it more engaging.
8. How do I start writing a dialogue?
Begin by deciding what your characters need to say. Think about their emotions and what they want to achieve in the conversation. Write their lines clearly and naturally.
9. How do I make dialogue sound natural?
Listen to how people talk in real life. Use simple language, include pauses or interruptions, and avoid making every sentence perfect. This makes conversations feel real.
10. How do I use punctuation in dialogue?
Use quotation marks to show what characters are saying. Place punctuation marks like commas, periods, and question marks inside the quotation marks, depending on what the character is saying.
11. What’s the difference between inner and outer dialogue?
Outer dialogue is what characters say aloud. Inner dialogue is what characters think but don’t say out loud. Both give insight into their feelings and thoughts.
12. How can I use dialogue to show character development?
Let characters’ words reveal their personality, background, and changes over time. How they speak and what they say can show their growth, struggles, and relationships with others.