SESSION 5: GROUNDING

DIALOGUE IN SCENES
Teaching Point: Today I want to teach you how to insert dialogue into your
story to enhance it for your readers and that you need to make sure that
you turn on the lights in your stories by grounding your characters in
scenes. Make sure to show your characters actions as well as the time or
place, so your readers dont feel disoriented!

BUT FIRSTLETS DISCUSS

DIALOGUE!
What is dialogue? What does it look like?

Understanding Dialogue
Dialogue is an essential part of creating a unique story. Much of what
makes dialogue successful is the authors use of Dialogue tags, or ways
to introduce the word, said.
What others can you come up with??? Turn and Talk

5 RULES OF DIALOGUE
Rule #1: When you are using a dialogue tag to introduce a quote, place the comma
between the last letter of the tag and the quotation marks.
Example:
The man looked around the room saying, Must I never be at peace?

DIALOGUE RULES CONT.

Rule #2: When you place a dialogue tag in the middle of a sentence, you must place commas on both
sides of the dialogue tag and a period at the end of the quote. You only capitalize the first part of the
sentence.
Example:
I was wondering if we might be able to go to the park, Ashley said, because it is such a
beautiful day.

DIALOGUE RULES CONT.

Rule #3: A period can be used if the dialogue tag is in the middle of two separate
sentences without a transition word such as because or so.
Example:
People are mistaken about George, Robert stated. He is a big man, but a real
nice guy.

DIALOGUE RULES CONT.

Rule #4: If the person speaking is asking a question and the question mark is before
the dialogue tag, the quote does NOT need a comma before the last quotation mark
and dialogue tag. Also, if there is a question, there needs to be a period after the
dialogue tag and the first letter after it needs to be capitalized.
Example:
I thought we were going to the store? Rita asked. I really need to pick up milk
for the baby.

DIALOGUE RULES CONT.

Rule #5: If you are creating dialogue between two people, make sure the first line of each quote is
indented. If the dialogue consists of short, direct statements, each statement or question needs to be
indented.
Example:
True, she said, I didnt think about it like that.
Why not? Peter replied. It seems to be something that you are used to doing without
question.
I know, Peggy answered, but I guess I wasnt that prepared.
That just isnt like you.
Peter, I realize that. Please give me a little slack, Peggy retorted.

SCENES
Story from my life: Woke up in the middle of the night in the pitch black
and was disoriented
Sometimes your readers get just as lost and disoriented when they read
your pieces. You need to make sure that doesnt happen!
Remember SCENES are:
Are small moments, or mini-stories
Include a clear setting that is woven throughout the moment
Have characters who are thinking, talking, acting, or perhaps doing all of
those things
Contain a character motivation and obstacle of some sort

STUDENT EXAMPLE TO ANALYZE

I was so embarrassed. I didnt know what to say, Um
Just apologize, she said.
Im sorry, I said.
Youre forgiven. Lets go get a slice, she said.

THOUGHTS?
Some things work here!
Characters are talking
We can tell how they are feeling
But they are floating!
Readers are disoriented.

REVISED STORY
Make sure it is a complete scene! Characters are talking, thinking, feeling
and moving within a setting!

I was so embarrassed. I didnt know what to say. Um I kicked a pile of leaves that
had gathered at the base of one of the trees on Bergen Street. My face felt like it was so hot it
would melt.
A breeze wooshed and leaves danced on the sidewalk. Just apologize, she said. She
pulled her collar tighter and buttoned the top button. I snuck a glance at her face. She was
biting her bottom lip. I knew it was hard for her to ask for an apology.
An acorn fell off a tree and ricocheted off a car parked on the corner. The smell of tomato
sauce and garlic wafted in the cool late October air. My stomach growled. I snuck another peek
at her and now she was stomping every leaf on the sidewalk. Moving intentionally to them and
then crushing them under her boots as she walked. My heart pounded. What if I apologize and
she didnt forgive? What if I didnt and she never spoke to me again. Im sorry, I said.
She turned her head and smiled. Youre forgiven. Lets go get a slice, she said. She
pointed to the pizza shop, two doors down. I raced ahead, stomach still growling, so I could
hold the door.

SO???
What did the second draft have that the first didnt?

TRY IT!
Read a section of our Esmeralda story and ask yourself:
Does this make sense to the readers?
Is this clear?
Look for a spot that doesnt/isnt. You will discuss with your partner
afterwards!

So, Esme, Maeve interrupted. She was looking at me,

calling me a much cooler version of my name than I was
used to.
I couldnt help myself, I smiled. She had given me a cool
nickname. It was almost like we were friends. My eyes
left the spot on the carpet I had been staring at and
looked at Maeve. Yeah? I said, in what I hoped was my
coolest voice.
Maeve leaned forward on the beanbag chair, her
perfectly painted fingernails planted on her knees. You
know Tilly better than anyone in this room, why does
she dress like that?

THOUGHTS:
Could you picture what was going on?
Did you see the place?

NEXT SECTION:
I mean, she never looks good, Maeve said.
Worse than that, Liz jumped in. She looks like she doesnt even
care.
I wasnt sure what to say. Uh-well.
I mean, look at you-look at us. We clearly care. We look good, Liz said.
I know. You completely look like you should be hanging out with us. Not
with Tilly.
***Turn and Talk! Is there a spot that leaves you in the dark
confused? Discuss how you could add to this writing to make it
more clear!

HOMEWORK
Now that you have your major and minor characters developed and
youve given your characters motivations and obstacles, spend some
time beginning to draft the introduction or first scene of your actual story!
Dont forget to include the characteristics youve given them so that your
reader gets to know your character.
Youll also want to start working in the characters motivations and struggles if
possible. However, the struggles might come later in the plot and that is ok!
At least get their wants added!
Dont forget to have your characters thinking, acting, feeling, and speaking
with others! Use your handout on the rules of dialogue!
We are looking for you to have at least 1 well written paragraph including all of
the above for your next writing day. Get started!