Dialogue: Bringing Your Stories to Life!
Have you ever read a story where the characters never speak? It might feel a bit like watching a movie with the sound turned off! Dialogue is the word we use for when characters talk to each other in a story.
In this chapter, we are going to learn how to write great dialogue that doesn't just sit on the page, but actually helps your story move forward. We will look at how to punctuate it correctly and how to use it to show what your characters are really like.
Note: This chapter focuses on talking in stories. To learn about building the world around your characters, check out the chapter on Narrative writing: setting, character and plot.
Why do we use Dialogue?
In Years 5 and 6, the national curriculum says we should use dialogue for two very important jobs:
1. To convey character: This means showing the reader what a character is like through what they say and how they say it. Is a character bossy? Are they shy? Instead of telling the reader "Sarah was mean," you can show it through her talking!
2. To advance the action: This means using a conversation to make things happen in the story. Perhaps a character reveals a secret or gives a command that starts a new adventure.
Quick Tip: The "Small Talk" Rule
In real life, we say things like "Hello," "How are you?" and "I'm fine, thanks." In a story, this can be a bit boring! Try to jump straight to the parts of the conversation that are exciting or important to the plot.
The "Speech Mark Sandwich": Punctuation Rules
Punctuation helps the reader understand who is talking and where the speech starts and ends. The official term for speech marks is inverted commas.
Think of punctuating speech like making a sandwich. You need the "bread" (the inverted commas) to hold everything together!
The Golden Rules:
1. Open the speech: Use inverted commas at the start: "
2. Capital Letter: Start the spoken words with a capital letter.
3. The punctuation: Put a comma, full stop, exclamation mark, or question mark at the end of the words spoken.
4. Close the speech: Use inverted commas at the end: "
5. The Reporting Clause: This is the bit that tells us who spoke (e.g., said Tom).
Example: "Watch out for that giant puddle!" yelled Sarah.
Did You Know?
The punctuation at the end of the speech almost always goes inside the inverted commas. Think of the inverted commas as a pair of arms giving the punctuation a big hug!
Using a "Reporting Clause"
The reporting clause is the part of the sentence that tells us who is talking (like he whispered or she shouted). You can put this in different places:
At the end: "I've never seen anything like it," whispered Ben. (Notice the comma after "it" inside the speech marks).
At the start: Ben whispered, "I've never seen anything like it." (Notice the comma after the reporting clause and the full stop inside the speech marks).
In the middle: "I've never seen anything like it," whispered Ben, "even in my wildest dreams!"
Varying Your Vocabulary
While the word "said" is useful, using it too much can become repetitive. To make your writing more engaging, choose a verb that shows how the character is feeling.
Instead of "said", could you use:
- To show anger: bellowed, snapped, hissed.
- To show sadness: whimpered, sighed, sobbed.
- To show excitement: cheered, squealed, gasped.
- To show secrecy: muttered, whispered, breathed.
Common Mistake: Don't overdo it! Sometimes a simple "said" is best so that the reader can focus on the action. You don't need a fancy word for every single line of dialogue.
New Speaker, New Line
This is a very important rule for layout. Every time a new person starts talking, you must start a new paragraph (go to a new line). This makes it much easier for the reader to keep track of who is speaking.
"Are we nearly there yet?" asked Leo.
"Not even close," replied Mum with a sigh.
Leo groaned, "But my legs are tired!"
Integrating Dialogue and Action
The best writers don't just have characters standing still and talking. They mix the speech with action. This is called integrating dialogue.
Instead of just:
"I'm scared," said Toby.
Try:
Toby gripped his torch tightly, his knuckles turning white. "I'm scared," he admitted in a trembling voice.
This shows the reader that Toby is scared through his actions (gripping the torch) as well as his words.
Quick Review: The Checklist
When you are writing dialogue, keep this checklist in your head:
- Did I use inverted commas around the words being spoken?
- Did I start the speech with a capital letter?
- Is there punctuation (like a comma or question mark) inside the closing inverted commas?
- Did I start a new line for a new speaker?
- Does the dialogue help show character or move the story along?
Key Takeaway: Dialogue is a powerful tool. Use it to show the reader who your characters are and to keep the action moving, but always remember to keep your "speech mark sandwich" neat and tidy with the correct punctuation!