1. Capturing Bits of Conversation

2. Do you have a friend or relative who says things in an unusual way?

3. Writers notice how people talk-not just what they say but also how they say it.

4. When we talk about what people are saying, we are talking about dialogue.

5. When you hear some dialogue that grabs or interests you, you can put it into your writer’s notebook.

6. That’s what Elijah did. He’s a 6 th grader in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Look at the dialogue he wrote in his writer’s notebook…

7. When I was at the food court at the mall, I overheard three high school boys talking. My teachers are pretty cool except for English. I got Mr. Best. Mr. Best! Dude that guy is scary! My brother had him last year and I know he’s insane. I add an A to the middle of his name. Mr. Beast. Laughing You don’t say that to him do you? You kidding? I like being alive! Hey Mat, you gonna eat those fries? No, I’m gonna wear them. Why do you think I ordered them genius, huh?

8. Let’s listen to what Ralph Fletcher has to say about writing dialogue…

9. Capturing bits of conversation can be a new kind of entry for your writer’s notebook.

10. It can be something you overhear at a store, on the bus, or at a family reunion.

11. It doesn’t need to be a complete conversation-it could be just one line you happen to hear.

12. Put it in your notebook.

13. In the next few days, maybe we can share some of the talk you’ve overheard.

14. Including strong, believable dialogue is one way to strengthen your writing.