Drama

Dialogue: Features of speech Allows interaction and feedback: overlaps and interruptions Allows non-verbal signals: gestures and body language Unfinished sentences; hesitations; repetitions May use non-standard grammar/looser structure: contractions and colloquial language May use pauses and fillers: er, I mean, sort of, like Accent/dialect may be apparent Can use mood signals: laughter, silence etc.

Characterisation Want two characters who are distinguishable from each other. Write a brief character sketch for each one. Consider: The way they speak/how they sound when they speak What they look like Any quirks of speech or dress Their background Anything about their personality/attitude that’s out of the ordinary Decide which character will be the main one who we will want to invest in.

Write a page of dialogue Remember, in a conversation, a character should always have a purpose or something they want to achieve! Think about whether or not your two characters already know each other or if this is their first encounter. Try to write a page of dialogue between your characters. Don’t worry about plot/theme/setting etc. just now. You can use one of the following sentences to start off your dialogue: Come here a minute. I want to show you something You shouldn’t have done that. Get a grip! It’s not the end of the world. He didn’t mean it. When will I see you again? It’s not fair. I hate this! They’re at it again. Listen to them.