What is a dialogue? The dialogue is what characters say to each other. Dialogues are crucial in short stories. They make the story more interesting to read. They serve other functions, too. Let’s take a look at some of them. Okay then, let’s have a race. All right. Let’s race to the top of that mountain over there.

1. Establishing the mood How the characters interact give us an idea of how the scene is set. For example, if the characters are arguing with each other, their dialogue would probably create a tense atmosphere. He’s not so fast! Don’t say that about the Tortoise! He beat the Hare in a race! How did he do that if he’s not fast? It ’ s getting tense …

2. Revealing characters and motivation How the characters speak and what they say help us understand how they think, what they want and their attitude. A friendly person would definitely speak differently from a proud person. Prove you’re not a chicken. Race me. The Frog is challenging the Tortoise – he ’ s quite proud.

3. Moving the story forward Dialogues can also advance the plot. When characters talk, you can predict what is going to happen and understand why it is going to happen. And if you refuse to race, then I’m doubly right. You’re not fast… and you’re chicken The Tortoise could not refuse. He needed to race.

4. Creating conflicts When characters speak, conflicts are created when they are expressing different points of view. Conflicts are obvious when the characters are arguing with each other! Because he’s too busy! Do you think so? I think because he’s chicken. He’s not chicken! He’s the Tortoise! Conflict is shown in two points of view.

Other functions of dialogues provide exposition or back story remind the reader of things they may have forgotten foreshadow – give hints for later development of the story Dialogues also help readers understand the characters’ thinking and feeling immediately Another function create immediacy and intimacy

The End~ Thank you!