Name of Reporter: Jonil T.

Macalam
Submitted to: Mrs. Milagros P. Rivera
Subject: Teaching of Writing
Topic: Writing a Dialogue

Writing a Dialogue

Dialogue – is a conversation in a story (or really anytime something is said aloud). In dialogue writing,
you are stating a person’s exact words.

Purpose of Dialogue

Dialogue makes a story more interesting. It can reveal what a character thinks or feels.It also shows
what a character’s like (personality).

2 Kinds of Dialogue

Direct Dialogue – the exact words spoken by a person, normally enclosed with a quotation.
Indirect Dialogue – is a summary of a dialogue. It appears the narrative form.

8 Rules of Writing a Dialogue

Rule 1

Use commas or periods between the dialogue and tagline (the words used to identify the speaker: “he
said/she said”) depending on where they are in the sentence.
Example:
1. “I’m going to work out at the gym,” she told Brian.
2. She told Brian, “I’m going to work out at the gym.”

Rule 2

Punctuation goes inside the quotation marks unless it directly pertains to the material within the
quotes.
Example:
1. Did he say, “We should all go to the movies”?
2. “Should we all go to the movies?” she asked.

Rule 3

To signal a quotation within a quotation, use single quotes.

Example:
 1. “Have you read ‘Hills Like White Elephants’ yet?” he asked her.

Single quotation can also be used in dialogue to indicate sarcasm.

Rule 4

Paragraphs are very important to the flow and comprehension of the dialogue. Remember to start a
new paragraph each time the speaker changes within the dialogue (even if the character is only
committing an action). This helps the reader know when someone new is speaking (and who it is).
Rule 5

Ellipses are an important tool when writing dialogue. They can indicate omitted speech, a nervous
pause, or hesitation.
Example:
1. “Hello, I’ve been on hold for 20 minutes!...Why should I continue to hold?...Yes, I know that you
are busy!...

Rule 6

If a quotation spills out over more than one paragraph, don’t use end quotes at the close of the first
paragraph. Use them only when a character is done speaking.

Rule 7

Do NOT use quotation marks when writing a character’s thoughts. Direct thoughts or things that the
character says in their heads should be written in italics.
Example:
1. “Hi Tony.” Tony looked down at his shoe, dug in his toe, and pushed around a pile of dust.
“Hey,” he replied.
2. Katy braced herself. Something was wrong.

Rule 8

Italics can be used within dialogue to create emphasis.

When indicating what a sign, billboard, letter, or flyer says, used italics.