Writing Dialogue in Stories

Before you type your FD, follow directions below in PARTS 1, 2, and 3.
 
  PART 1:

 

• Of the two examples below (A and B), which  is easier to read?
• In which example can you clearly tell what the reader is saying?
• Why? (Answer in your own head. You don't have to write anything down.)

 

Example A:

 

Kelli said, "I want my band shirt back right now. You didn't have permission to borrow it." "No," said Paul, "but you didn't have permission to take my CD either, and I can see it on your desk."

 

Example B:  
         Kelli said, "I want my band shirt back right now. You didn't have permission to borrow it." 

        "No," said Paul, "but you didn't have permission to take my CD either, and

I can see it on your desk." 

 

Part 2:

Before you begin typing your FD of your story, do the following:

 

1. Count the speaking characters in your story.

 

2. Choose a highlighter or colored pencil of a different color for each speaker.

 

3. With the first highlighter or marker, highlight the speech of the first character every time s/he speaks.

 

4. Continue through your writing again for every additional speaker, using a different color for each one.

 

5. Now that you have color-coded each character's remarks, you'll be able to see if you've forgotten to indent every time a new character speaks.

 

6. If you've forgotten to indent for a new paragraph every time a new character speaks,   insert the paragraph symbol

 to remind yourself to fix it when you're typing your FD.

 

 

 

PART 3: 

 

Dialogue Tags: 

 

Is your character hissing as she speaks? Is she bellowing? Be precise with your dialogue tags. There are many, many other ways to say said. Below are some ideas.

• acknowledged
• admitted
• agreed
• answered
• argued
• asked
• barked
• begged
• bellowed
• blustered
• bragged
• complained
• confessed
• cried
• demanded
• denied
• giggled
• hinted
• hissed
• howled
• inquired
• interrupted
• laughed
• lied
• mumbled
• muttered
• nagged
• pleaded
• promised
• questioned
• remembered
• replied
• requested
• retorted
• roared
• sang
• screamed
• screeched
• shouted
• sighed
• snarled
• sobbed
• threatened
• wailed
• warned
• whimpered
• whined
• whispered
• wondered
• yelled 

 

 

 

After you've completed Parts 1, 2, and 3, you may begin typing your FD. 

 

Use this checklist when you've finished typing. When you're really sure you're finished with your FD, you can print your story.

 

• Have you put your name/period/date in the upper right hand corner?
• Do you have an original and catchy title?
• Have you capitalized all important words in the title (not: the, a, an, for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)?
• Have you indented each paragraph, especially when a new character speaks?
• Have you indented for a new paragraph when the story changes location, time, or topic?
• Have you spell checked?
• Have you used a font that is clear, readable, and not ALL CAPS?
• Have you 1.5 spaced?
• Is your font 10-12? It should be no smaller than 10 and no larger than 12.
• Does your story show your best effort?
• Have you included a dragon, sunglasses, and mint chip ice cream??????