Dialogue

1. Dialogue English 1, September 8th 2011

2. DO NOW • Look at the FB chat. Answer these questions in writing: • Is this how people usually talk or chat on FB? • What do we know about these two? • Do we care about them at all? • What if this was a ten page conversation—would you keep reading?

3. James: Hey Jessica: Whatever James: Whatever Jessica: Bye James: Bye

4. Objective • I will use the effective technique of dialogue by developing examples of correctly formatted dialogue individually.

5. Dialogue • A conversation between two or more characters within a story. The exact words they speak are placed within quotation marks

6. Purposes of Dialogue • It must have a reason for being in the text- if it is not moving the story along, it should not be there! • Helps the reader feel connected to the story. • Help give the reader more information about the characters and the story • Their relationship, the characters’ personalities, their emotions, etc.

7. Let’s Look at This Again… • James: hey baby, you there? • Jessica: you want to talk about things here?! wow. you r classier than I thought! • James:look, stop. i’m sorry. how many times do I have to say it I AM SORRY! • Jessica: no you’re not! you just got caught, like that Rihanna song. so just stop. it’s so over. • James: i know i can’t change your mind. i know you. and i know it looks bad but that girl must have slipped that number in my pocket without me knowing. i did NOT ask for it, and i wouldn’t ever have even known about it if you hadn’t snooped in my • Jessica: so now i not only DON’T believe you, but i think you are ungrateful for calling me a snoop because • James: hello? • Jessica: sorry, thought i heard a noise downstairs…as i was saying…because stupid you forgot to empty your pockets before your girl DID YOUR LAUNDRY FOR YOU!!!! HOW ABOUT A THANK YOU?! • James:i’m sorry again, you’re right, i can’t say anything how i mean it, baby. • Jessica: don’t you keep calling me baGI;UJHBVq;bg ;’;’ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ • James: huh? • Jessica is signed off • James: baby?

8. Let’s ask the Questions Again • What do we know about these two? • Do we care about them at all? • What if this was a ten page conversation—would you keep reading? • Why was this dialogue more engaging to read?

9. Correct Format of Dialogue in a Narrative • Put quotation marks around all dialogue (“”) • Each speaker gets his or her own paragraph; a return and indent. • Tags (“He said”, “She said” and variations) should be used, but not too much, and varied so they’re not repetitious; they can be used at the start of quotes, in the middle, or at the end. When tags are overused, they get in the way; the key is that the reader should always know who’s speaking. • Always use a comma after tags (She said,) when introducing a quote. • In the beginning of a conversation, you can use tags to identify who is talking. Once the reader knows who's speaking no tag is necessary. • Avoid using “Said” a lot. Try these others instead: begged,complained, confessed, cried, laughed, chuckled, giggled, replied, muttered.

10. Each speaker gets his or her own paragraph; a return and indent. “Hey girl. How was school today?” “Meh, not so bad. That Math test was killer though.” “Really, how’d you do?” “Okay I guess. I dunno.”

11. TAGS: Once you establish who is speaking, Tags are not necessary "I searched through his room, not knowing exactly what I was looking for," saidMelinda. "Did you find anything?" asked Brit, nervous that Melinda found incriminating pictures. "I turned that room upside down and nothing.” "Maybe you were overreacting.” "Maybe...but I still feel uneasy."



12. TAGS: Avoid Using “Said” Too Much "All I did was to tell the truth," Matt said. "She didn't take it well," his mother said. "No. She cried all night," Matt said.



13. Identifying Correct Dialogue Forms • Read through the dialogue • Looking at each dialogue guideline, make sure that the dialogue follows correct formatting • Correct any mistakes • Make sure that the dialogue is purposeful and interesting for the reader. Ask yourself: Am I engaged in this conversation that the characters are having? Would my reader be interested in what they are talking about?

14. I DO Hey hunny how was your day? It was really long. I could not get my boss to listen to anything I said! It was as if he wasn’t even hearing me! Oh I am so sorry. Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

15. In Groups Jesus, you startled me. I wasn't expecting you here. It's been a real day for expectations. Where were you? I've been waitinghere for an hour. You didn't leave a note or--- I wasn't planning on going anywhere--- I can see that. Where's your coat? I left the house in a hurry. I ... um ... my mother ...

16. In Groups “Sometimes I wonder whether or not she notices me at all. I mean, I try so hard to get her attention, you know?” Michael said. “I know, man. It will happen for you someday.” Josh said. “Easy for you to say! You have a great girl!” Michael said.

17. In Groups “Where are you going?” John cracked his knuckles while he looked at the floor. “To the racetrack.” Mary edged toward the door, keeping her eyes on John’s bent head. “Not again,” John stood up, flexing his fingers. “We are already maxed out on our credit cards.

18. On Your Own “I really love this sunshine!” Sally said. “Me too! It is really hot though,” Megan said. “Want to go inside?” Sally said. “Sure, that’s a great idea!” Megan said.

19. On Your Own What should we do for dinner? I dunno what do you want to eat? I dunno but I am hungry Yeah me too.

20. Exit Ticket • Complete the Exit Ticket and Hand it in on your way out the door!