Dialogue & Character Development

​Dialogue & Character Development

By Erica Reeves

​Page 251, 279, & 311

Dialogue reveals characters

Multiple Choice

When a character in a story says, "I can't believe I'm finally here," what emotion are they most likely expressing?

• Anger

• Excitement

• Sadness

• Fear

Multiple Choice

If a character often uses polite language and formal titles when speaking to others, what character trait does this suggest?

• Rudeness

• Respectfulness

• Dishonesty

• Impulsiveness

Multiple Choice

When two characters in a story have a heated argument, what can this reveal about their relationship?

• They are strangers.

• They have a strong bond.

• There is tension or conflict between them.

• They are indifferent towards each other.

Multiple Choice

If a character frequently talks about their dreams and ambitions, what can this tell you about their motivations?

• They are content with their current situation.

• They are motivated by fear.

• They are driven to achieve their goals.

• They lack ambition.

Dialogue & Character Development

The written text of a play is called a script. Most details about characters’ personalities come from dialogue—conversations among the characters. What characters say and how they say it tells

readers and the audience what the characters are like. Dialogue reveals the characters’ personalities, thoughts, and reactions. It can reveal how characters change or develop during the play.

Now it's your turn! The next questions will be graded!

Multiple Choice

Read this portion of a play. Then, circle the letter of the choice that best

answers each question.

What does the dialogue reveal about Charlie?

• a. He loses his keys often.

• b. He loses his keys on purpose.

• c. He is organized.

• d. He is very busy.

Multiple Choice

2. What does the dialogue reveal about Lucy?

• a. She is Charlie’s sister.

• b. She likes computers.

• c. She is busy working.

• d. She never loses her keys.

Multiple Choice

In Lucy’s first line (line 2), why does she say, “I really have no idea” instead of “No,

I haven’t seen your keys”?

• a. It shows how silly Lucy is.

• b. It shows that Lucy is impatient.

• c. It shows that Lucy is not listening.

• d. It shows that Lucy does not like Charlie.

Multiple Choice

What does “the last twenty times” (line 5) reveal about Lucy?

• a. She miscounted.

• b. She is being kind.

• c. She is telling a lie.

• d. She is being sarcastic.

Multiple Choice

5. What does Charlie’s line “Oh ... oops. Sorry. Found them” (line 6) show?

• a. He is sharp-eyed.

• b. His vision is poor.

• c. He feels embarrassed.

• d. He feels relieved.

Open Ended

What does the dialogue reveal about Chuck?

Open Ended

What does the dialogue reveal about Fred?

Open Ended

If you were Fred, would you find Chuck annoying? Why or why not?

Multiple Choice

Through which dramatic element do readers and audience members learn about the setting of a scene?

• A. conflict

• B. character sketches

• C. dialogue

• D. stage directions

Multiple Choice

What is one important role of the stage directions?

• A. to instruct actors about characters’ actions

• B. to instruct actors about characters’ dialogue

• C. to provide backstory to the actors about their characters

• D. to provide interaction between actors when playing their characters

Multiple Choice

Read the passage between Higgins and his mother, Mrs. Higgins, from George Bernard Shaw’s play, Pygmalion.

Mrs. Higgins. Go home at once.

Higgins. [kissing her] I know, mother. I came on purpose.

Mrs. Higgins. But you mustn’t. I’m serious, Henry. You offend all my friends: they stop coming whenever they meet you.

What does the dialogue reveal about the two characters?

• A. Mrs. Higgins is often embarrassed by her son.

• B. Mrs. Higgins thinks her son’s classmates are too rude.

• C. Mrs. Higgins believes her son showed up accidentally.

• D. Mrs. Higgins wants to welcome people at her son’s house.