Dialogue How to properly punctuate the words your characters speak. CCSS Writing 8.3b- CCSS Writing 8.3b- Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.

Why Use Dialogue? 1. By having your character speak, you can give the readers some insight into the character’s personality. 2. Having characters speak makes the story less boring-- helps bring the characters to life. 3. Having your characters speak can help you build suspense. 4. It looks good on an assessment.

Things to remember when writing dialogue Write it as realistically as possible.Write it as realistically as possible. Make it clear who is speaking when.Make it clear who is speaking when. Do not give too much information or unrealistic information in dialogue.Do not give too much information or unrealistic information in dialogue. Keep the conversation moving.Keep the conversation moving. Make it as easy to read as possible.Make it as easy to read as possible. Make it purposefulMake it purposeful –Should move story forward or reveal important information

Make it more Realistic INTERUPTIONSINTERUPTIONS One character breaks in on another, completing the first character’s line.One character breaks in on another, completing the first character’s line. Character 1: “If only we could get enough—”Character 1: “If only we could get enough—” Character 2: “Hard cash?”Character 2: “Hard cash?”

Make it more Realistic REPETITIONREPETITION One character picks up on a word that another character has just said:One character picks up on a word that another character has just said: Character 1: “You’re not open to any new ideas. You won’t even listen to a word about immigration!”Character 1: “You’re not open to any new ideas. You won’t even listen to a word about immigration!” Character 2: “A word! I’ve listened to volumes!”Character 2: “A word! I’ve listened to volumes!”

Speaker TAGS Using tags helps the reader to know who is speaking.Using tags helps the reader to know who is speaking. “I’d really like you to sit down,” she said.“I’d really like you to sit down,” she said. He whined, “I’m tired of watching this movie.”He whined, “I’m tired of watching this movie.” “What are you doing?” she asked.“What are you doing?” she asked. “That’s stupid,” hissed Julia viciously.“That’s stupid,” hissed Julia viciously.

Words Other than said…

Use Action Instead of getting in the TAG RUT, try incorporating some action:Instead of getting in the TAG RUT, try incorporating some action: She pointed across the room. “Get over there!”She pointed across the room. “Get over there!” She slammed her hands down on the table. “NO!”She slammed her hands down on the table. “NO!”

Rules of punctuating dialogue Start a new paragraph when a new person speaks or a large passage of action interrupts the speaking.Start a new paragraph when a new person speaks or a large passage of action interrupts the speaking. Use quotation marks to surround all spoken words on both sides.Use quotation marks to surround all spoken words on both sides. Use speaker tags to show who is talkingUse speaker tags to show who is talking Use the proper end marks.Use the proper end marks. –Endmarks always go inside the quotes.

Endmarks –COMMA. Use a comma if the dialogue is a statement and there is a speaker tag following. Example: “Welcome home,” she said, stepping forward to take his hand.

Use a period... If no speaker tag follows the quotation: “Welcome home.” She stepped forward to take his hand. “Thank you.” He offered his own hand in return.

Speaker tag in middle use a comma on either side and do not capitalize second part. “I can’t believe,” she said, “that you are finally here.”

When a question mark or exclamation point is used... Follow with a lowercase letter if a speaker tag is being used.Follow with a lowercase letter if a speaker tag is being used. –“I will get you!” exclaimed the witch. Use a capital if it goes right into action.Use a capital if it goes right into action. –“Will you ever give up?” She threw her hands in the air and walked out.

. Practice- add proper punctuation. I was walking through the mall one day when I met a group of my friends. Hey, what are you doing here? I asked. I thought you guys had to stay after school today. No, we got out of that detention, said Mary. Mrs. Jones decided we really didn’t deserve it. Sue said, Are you here to shop or browse? A little bit of both, I replied, because I need to find a birthday card for my cousin, but I really want to check out the sales. And the boys! everyone laughed