HOW TO CREATE AND PUNCTUATE DIALOGUE MAKE YOUR CHARACTERS SPEAK!

DIALOGUE: THINGS TO REMEMBER Diction The language should match the character. Tags (said, exclaimed, wondered, etc.) Label the speaker clearly. Quantity Have a reason for using dialogue versus narration.

RULES OF DIALOGUE: PARAGRAPH BREAKS Story writers use lots of paragraph breaks. Indent to start a new paragraph when the following happens: The speaker changes. There is a change in setting. There is a change in action. The author wants to emphasize something.

RULES OF DIALOGUE: PARAGRAPH BREAKS Look at the example from John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars:

RULES OF DIALOGUE: PUNCTUATION From Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card Dialogue followed by a tag: “Looks like you’ve got it made here,” whispered the boy.

RULES OF DIALOGUE: PUNCTUATION From Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card Dialogue followed by a tag where question mark or exclamation point is used: “Looks like you’ve got it made here,” whispered the boy. Ender shook his head. “Oh, won’t even talk to me?” the boy said.

RULES OF DIALOGUE: PUNCTUATION From Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card Dialogue where there is no tag: “The kid’s wrong. I am his friend.” “I know.” “He’s clean. Right to the heart, he’s good.” “I’ve read the reports.”

RULES OF DIALOGUE: PUNCTUATION From Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card Dialogue where the tag interrupts the speech: “I hope you’re wrong,” said Graff. “By the way, you aren’t helping yourself at all, talking to me.” “Good-bye,” Ender said.

RULES OF DIALOGUE: PUNCTUATION From Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card Dialogue where the tag interrupts the speech, example two: “I am your only escape,” it said, “and Death is your only escape.” Ender looked around the room for a weapon, when suddenly the screen went dark.

“Stop!” Buddy cried as they approached another intersection. At this one, the light had burned out and a tall oak stood off to one side. “Let me out here.” Are you crazy,” Joe asked. “It’s still at least another twenty miles to Mud Bucket! “Just let me out, Joe. I mean it.” Buddy had become desperate. He could think of nothing else he wanted more than to become a famous musician, and if it took selling his soul to the devil to do it, then he would. Joe pulled the truck over onto the gravel at the side of the road and rolled to a stop. “Are you sure about this? It’s freakin’ creepy out there, man.” “I have my phone. I’ll call if something happens. “Well,” Said Joe. “don’t think I’m coming back out here for your sorry butt,” Buddy got out, slammed the door shut, and Joe spun off onto the highway, his tires screeching on the blacktop.

“Stop!” Buddy cried as they approached another intersection. At this one, the light had burned out and a tall oak stood off to one side. “Let me out here.” “Are you crazy?” Joe asked. “It’s still at least another twenty miles to Mud Bucket!” “Just let me out, Joe. I mean it.” Buddy had become desperate. He could think of nothing else he wanted more than to become a famous musician, and if it took selling his soul to the devil to do it, then he would. Joe pulled the truck over onto the gravel at the side of the road and rolled to a stop. “Are you sure about this? It’s freakin’ creepy out there, man.” “I have my phone. I’ll call if something happens.” “Well,” said Joe, “don’t think I’m coming back out here for your sorry butt.” Buddy got out, slammed the door shut, and Joe spun off onto the highway, his tires screeching on the blacktop.