Guide To Writing The Best Essay

Cover 8 Tips for Awesome Dialogue Helping Writers Authors (820x627)

Table of Contents

• Tip 1 - Keep it Realistic
• Tip 2 - Use Contractions
• Tip 3 - Show, Don't Tell
• Tip 4 - Use Dialogue Tags Sparingly
• Tip 5 - Use Dialogue to Reveal Character

Tip 1 - Keep it Realistic

One of the most important aspects of writing great dialogue is keeping it realistic. Dialogue should sound like something a person would actually say in real life, and not like something out of a textbook or a script. Dialogue should be natural, with pauses, interruptions, and hesitations, just like in real life. It's important to read your dialogue out loud to make sure it sounds authentic and flows naturally.

Another way to keep dialogue realistic is to pay attention to the way people speak in different situations. For example, a lawyer might speak differently in a courtroom than they would at home with their family. A teenager might use more slang when talking to their friends than they would with their parents. Paying attention to these nuances can help make your dialogue more authentic and believable.

Tip 2 - Use Contractions

Using contractions is another way to make your dialogue sound more natural. People almost always use contractions when speaking, so using them in your dialogue can help make it sound more realistic. For example, instead of saying "I am going to the store," a character might say "I'm going to the store."

However, it's important to use contractions sparingly and appropriately. Characters who are very formal or who speak in a more stilted manner might not use contractions, and that's okay. It's all about finding the right balance for each character and situation.

Tip 3 - Show, Don't Tell

Dialogue is a great way to show what characters are thinking and feeling, rather than simply telling the reader. Instead of saying "John was angry," you could have John say something like "I can't believe you did that!" This shows the reader that John is angry without having to explicitly state it.

Another way to use dialogue to show rather than tell is to use subtext. Subtext is the underlying meaning or message behind what a character is saying. For example, a character might say "I'm fine," but their tone or body language might indicate that they're actually upset or angry. Using subtext in dialogue can add depth and complexity to your characters and their relationships.

Tip 4 - Use Dialogue Tags Sparingly

Dialogue tags are the words used to indicate who is speaking, such as "he said" or "she asked." While dialogue tags are necessary, it's important to use them sparingly and appropriately. Using too many dialogue tags can be distracting and take away from the dialogue itself.

One way to avoid overusing dialogue tags is to use action beats instead. Action beats are descriptions of what a character is doing while they're speaking, such as "John rubbed his chin thoughtfully." Action beats can help break up long stretches of dialogue and add more depth to the scene.

Tip 5 - Use Dialogue to Reveal Character

One of the most important functions of dialogue is to reveal character. The way a character speaks can give the reader insight into their personality, background, and motivations. For example, a character who speaks in short, clipped sentences might be terse and guarded, while a character who speaks in flowery, poetic language might be more emotional and romantic.

It's also important to remember that different characters should speak differently. Characters from different regions or backgrounds might use different slang or have different speech patterns. It's important to make sure each character's dialogue is unique and reflects their individual personality and background.

Conclusion

Writing great dialogue is an essential skill for any writer. By keeping it realistic, using contractions, showing rather than telling, using dialogue tags sparingly, and using dialogue to reveal character, you can create dialogue that is authentic, engaging, and memorable. Remember to read your dialogue out loud and pay attention to the way people speak in different situations to make sure your dialogue is realistic and believable.