Dialogue is an important element in a fiction script, because it provides clearer clues about the characters, about how they interact with each other and creates more dynamics in the storytelling process itself. Some writers, such as Ernest Hemingway or Raymond Carver, relied heavily on dialogue, but others used it less frequently. However, before you use dialogue in your own writing, it's important that you understand how to punctuate the dialogue. These few ground rules will make your writing look and sound more meaningful and more professional.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Understanding the Basics
Step 1. Put punctuation marks on sentences that end with dialogue words
When writing a dialogue, the most important thing you need to remember is that you must put the dialogue in quotation marks and close it with a comma inside the quotation if you are going to add certain words that indicate the speaker. Using a comma followed by a closing quotation mark, followed by a verb and the pronoun or name of the person speaking (or in the reverse order: name or pronoun then verb), is the most common way to punctuate a sentence. dialog. Here are some examples:
- “I just want to read a book while lying in bed all day,” Mary said.
- “I really wanted to do it, but sadly I have to go to work,” Tom said.
- "You can rest for the weekend," said Mary.
Step 2. Put punctuation marks on sentences that begin with dialogue words
When you start a sentence with words that indicate dialogue, the same rules apply. The only difference is that now you use the verb and pronoun or the speaker's name at the beginning of the sentence, followed by a comma, an opening quotation mark, the body of the dialogue, a period or other closing punctuation mark, and then a closing quotation mark. Here are some examples:
- Mary said, "I thought I'd just eat cupcakes for breakfast."
- Tom said, “Do you think that is the healthiest option?”
- He replied, “Of course not. But that's precisely what tempted me so much."
Step 3. Put punctuation marks on sentences that have dialogue words in the middle
Another way to punctuate a dialogue is to place the words that indicate the dialogue in the middle of the sentence. This will create a pause while you continue the sentence. To do this, you have to put a punctuation mark in the first part of the dialogue as usual, but now you don't put a full stop or a closing punctuation mark, instead you put a comma to continue in the second part of the dialog. The thing you need to remember is not to start this second part of the dialogue with a capital letter, because it is part of the same sentence. Here are some examples:
- "I want to run," Mary said, "but I'd rather just sit in this rocking chair."
- “There are few things more exciting than sitting in a rocking chair,” said Tom, “but sometimes running is all you need to do.”
- “I don't need to run…” Mary replied, “just as I don't need pebbles in my shoes.”
Step 4. Put punctuation marks on the sentences that have dialogue words between the two dialogue sentences
One way to punctuate dialogue is to mark one of the sentences as usual, put a period at the end, and then start a new sentence without showing the speaker at all. According to the context, it should be obvious that the speakers are the same person. Here are some examples:
- "The new students at school looked good," Mary said. "I want to get to know him better."
- "I thought he looked a bit arrogant and unfriendly," Tom replied. "You're good too, want to be friends with him."
- "I don't know," said Mary. “I just like to give other people a chance. You need to do it too sometimes.”
Step 5. Put punctuation marks on dialogs that do not include dialogue words
Many dialogues do not require certain words to indicate dialogue. From the context, it will be clear who the speaker is. You can also use pronouns or the person's name after the sentence, to make it even more clear. Don't let the reader rummage through each line, or go back to the previous section to find out who is speaking in the conversation between two people in the form of an anonymous dialogue. Likewise, don't repeat "he said" every time a sentence is spoken. Here are some examples:
- "I don't think this relationship can continue anymore." Mary played with her pen.
- Tom looked down at the floor he was on. "Why do you say like that?"
- “I say that because I feel it. This relationship is not going to work, Tom. How could you not see it?”
- "Maybe I'm blind."
Part 2 of 3: Using Other Punctuation
Step 1. Put a question mark
To put a question mark in a dialog, place a question mark before the closing quotation mark, instead of the period you normally use. The thing to watch out for is that, even if it looks weird, you should still use lowercase letters when writing dialogue words (for example, “said” or “answered”), because they are technically still part of the same sentence. Alternatively, you can put words that indicate the presence of this dialogue at the beginning of the sentence or don't use them at all. Here are some examples:
- "Why don't you come to my birthday party?" Mary asked.
- Tom replied, “I thought we broke up. Didn't we break up?"
- "Since when is breaking up a good reason not to come to someone's party?"
- "Is there a better reason?" said Tom.
Step 2. Put an exclamation mark
To put an exclamation point in a dialog, follow the same rules as when you use a period or question mark. Most writers will say that exclamation marks should be avoided, and that the sentences and the story itself will convey the spirit without the need for exclamation points. Still, sometimes using an exclamation point doesn't hurt. Here are some examples:
- "I can't wait for summer to end and we can go back to school!" said Mary.
- "Me too!" said Tom. "I'm so bored at home."
- Mary replied, “Especially me! I already have three kinds of ant collection in this month alone.”
Step 3. Put quotes in the dialog
This method is a bit tricky and won't be used very often, but it's still worth learning. Put only one quotation mark at the beginning and end of a phrase that is the title of a work of art or a quote from someone. Here are some examples:
- “My favorite Hemingway story is ‘Hills Like White Elephants,’” Mary said.
- "Don't our English teachers often call it 'the most boring story in the whole world'?" asked Tom.
Step 4. Put a punctuation mark on the disconnected dialog
If you're writing dialogue between two characters, to make the dialogue feel more real, you need to show that people often wait their turn to speak politely. Sometimes they can cut each other's sentences in the middle of a conversation, just like in real situations. To indicate an interrupt like this, you can use a flat line at the end of a broken sentence, then enter the sentence that interrupted the original speaker, and you can also use a flat line at the beginning of the sentence that connects the original sentence again. Here are some examples:
- Tom said, "I was actually thinking about calling, but I was too busy and -"
- "I'm tired of all your excuses," Mary cut in. “Every time you cancel a call -”
- "This time it's different," Tom replied. "Believe me."
Part 3 of 3: Mastering the Implicit
Step 1. Put punctuation marks on sentences that use indirect dialogue
Not all dialogue is written clearly or uses quotation marks. Sometimes, you don't need/have to say exactly what each character says, but just write down the general idea that he or she said it. This will provide a refreshing respite for the weary reader after following the previous series of dialogues and is also a way to avoid excerpts from direct dialogue at times where it is better to include indirect dialogue. Here are some examples:
- He told the woman that he didn't want to go to the park.
- The woman said that she didn't care if he didn't want to come.
- He said that he should stop being so sensitive all the time.
Step 2. Use dialogue words to indicate a pause
One thing you can do is break off sentences by placing words that indicate dialogue, to indicate pauses or to indicate that the character is thinking or trying to find the right words to say. This can help add tension to the conversation and make it feel more real, because not everyone can find the perfect sentence right away. Here are some examples:
- "Okay," Sarah said. "I guess there's nothing more to say."
- "I know," replied Jerry. "But I want you to find it yourself."
Step 3. Put punctuation marks on dialogues that use more than one sentence
You don't have to write down dialogue markers or make each character say just one sentence at a time. Sometimes, a character will talk at length, and you can easily demonstrate this by quoting the sentences one by one until the character finishes speaking. Then, you put closing quotation marks at the end of the sentence, or provide dialogue words that indicate who the speaker is. Here are some examples:
- "I'm so tired. Who wants to come watch a comedy show with me?” said Mary.
- Jake replied, “I'd rather accompany my dog than go to work. He can do nothing without me."
Step 4. Punctuate dialogue that lasts for more than one paragraph
Sometimes, a character speaks for several paragraphs without stopping. To indicate this with proper punctuation, you must use opening quotation marks at the beginning of the first paragraph, then write down the sentences he said, and end the paragraph with no closing such as a period, question mark or exclamation mark. Then, start the second paragraph with another opening quotation mark and continue until the character has finished speaking. In this case, put a closing quotation mark at the end of the quote as usual. Do it like the example below:
- (Paragraph 1:) “I really wanted to tell you about my friend Bill…he's really crazy.
- (Paragraph 2:) “Bill had a cactus garden, but he sold it because he wanted to live on a sailing ship. Then he sold the ship to build a castle, then he got bored and decided instead to swim across the Atlantic Ocean.”
Step 5. Punctate the dialog using a flat line instead of a comma
Not all countries use unquoted to indicate that a character is speaking. Some countries, such as Russia, France, Spain, use flat lines to indicate this. This way, you don't need to use dialogue words, you just need to make sure that the reader understands who is speaking. If you choose this method, you must do so consistently throughout your writing. This takes practice, but it can create an interesting effect if you keep at it. The following are examples:
- -I think I should go now.
- -Okay.
- -Then, see you later.
Step 6. Look for words other than “said” to indicate dialogue
While writers like Hemingway or Carver rarely use other dialogue words, sometimes you can use something more appropriate. While you don't have to overwhelm the reader with words like “questioning” or “looking for information”, you can use other words as a refreshing variation. Here are some examples:
- “I think I'm interested in my yoga teacher,” Lacy tells her.
- Mary asked, "Isn't he too old for you?"
- "Ah, age is just a number," Lacy replied
