Writing Dialogue

Writing Dialogue

What is dialogue?

Dialogue is the words someone speaks. It has rules for how it is to be written. 

How do I write dialogue?

Let's look at how to write dialogue using example text from Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo.

Rule #1: 

 Everytime a person speaks, the words are indented (or scooted in). 

 When a new person speaks, a new paragraph is made too.

If you are typing dialogue you would use the "Tab" key on your keyboard to indent and the "Enter" key to make a new paragraph.

Multiple Choice

How do you show a new speaker in dialogue?

• Use all capital letters

• Circle the new speaker's name

• Start a new paragraph and indent.

• Start a new page

Rule #2: 

Only the exact words of the speaker go inside the quotation marks ( " ). 

The quotation marks go at the beginning of the exact words and at the end of the exact words.

Rule #3

The words that tell who is speaking and how they speak are not included in quotation marks. 

Multiple Select

Which choice is correct?

• What if I forgot "asked Clark."

• What if I forgot asked Clark?

• "What if I forgot? asked Clark."

• "What if I forgot?" asked Clark.

Rule #4: 

If the speaker is identified BEFORE the quote is spoken, then a comma is placed between the two parts. 

Multiple Choice

Where does a comma go when the speaker is identified before the exact words spoken?

• between the two parts

• after the exact words spoken but before the quotation marks

• after the speaker's name

• it doesn't need a comma

Rule 5: 

If the speaker is identified AFTER the words are spoken, put a comma instead of a period inside the quotation marks. 

  

If the quote is a question or said in an excited way, a question mark (?) or an exclamation mark (!) will be used instead of a comma.

Multiple Choice

Where does a comma go when the speaker is identified after the exact words spoken?

• between the two parts

• after the exact words spoken but before the quotation marks

• after the speaker's name

• it doesn't need a comma

Rule #6: 

If the speaker is identified in the middle of what a person says and the quote is not finished, a comma is put at the end of the spoken words AND after the speaker. 


The second part of the quote is NOT capitalized. 

Multiple Select

Where does the commas go in the example below. Yes there can be more than one answer:

"If we leave right now" whined Marley "I won't get to ride my favorite ride again."

• now,"

• now",

• whined, Marley

• Marley,

Rule #7: 

If the speaker is identified in the middle of what a person says but the speaker wants to say another sentence too.  The second part of the quote is capitalized. 

Multiple Select

Where does the punctuation go in the example below. Yes, there is more than one choice you must pick:

"You have already ridden it once" Mom said sternly "We have to leave NOW!"

• once",

• once,"

• sternly.

• Mom.