Dialogue Vanessa Clayberg and Arati Sharma

Verisimilitude Verisimilitude means having a resemblance the truth. Verisimilitude means having a resemblance the truth. Authors use verisimilitude to add a sense of truthfulness to their writing by using real-life elements and details in their stories. Authors use verisimilitude to add a sense of truthfulness to their writing by using real-life elements and details in their stories. Example of Verisimilitude: Example of Verisimilitude: If a teenager wanted to lie to his or her parents about where they were last night, they could make up an elaborate story placing them at a friends house instead of at a wild party. To make the story more believable, the teenager could add details about their all-night study session or a movie that they had watched. These details make the story seem more credible, thus giving it verisimilitude. If a teenager wanted to lie to his or her parents about where they were last night, they could make up an elaborate story placing them at a friends house instead of at a wild party. To make the story more believable, the teenager could add details about their all-night study session or a movie that they had watched. These details make the story seem more credible, thus giving it verisimilitude.

Speech Headings Speech headings are descriptions of a character’s vocal tones or gestures as they speak a line from a play. Speech headings are descriptions of a character’s vocal tones or gestures as they speak a line from a play. Speech headings often come before dialogue tell the speaker what emotion they should attribute to the line. Speech headings often come before dialogue tell the speaker what emotion they should attribute to the line. Examples of Speech Headings: Examples of Speech Headings: Jack: (irritably) Give me back my pen! Jack: (irritably) Give me back my pen! Susan: (pointing to the table) I left my purse there before I rushed to open the door. Susan: (pointing to the table) I left my purse there before I rushed to open the door.

Stage Directions These are notes added to the script of a play to convey information about its performance not already explicit in the dialogue. These are notes added to the script of a play to convey information about its performance not already explicit in the dialogue. They are all relative to the position of an actor facing the audience—right and left are therefore reversed from the spectators' point of view. They are all relative to the position of an actor facing the audience—right and left are therefore reversed from the spectators' point of view.

Examples of Stage Directions Example 1: Example 1: An excerpt from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet ACT I, Scene 1: An excerpt from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet ACT I, Scene 1: Verona. A public place. Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY, of the house of Capulet, with swords and bucklers (shields). Example 2 : Example 2 : An excerpt from Julius Cesar, SCENE 2: An excerpt from Julius Cesar, SCENE 2: A public place. Enter CAESAR, ANTONY (dressed for the race), CALPHURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, a SOOTHSAYER; after them, MARULLUS and FLAVIUS.

Direct and Indirect Discourse Direct discourse is a report of the exact words used in a dialogue and is usually marked by quotation marks. Direct discourse is a report of the exact words used in a dialogue and is usually marked by quotation marks. Example of Direct Discourse: Example of Direct Discourse: He said, “I am tired and going home.” He said, “I am tired and going home.” Philip said, "I'll come if I have the time." Philip said, "I'll come if I have the time." Indirect discourse consists of reporting such statements indirectly, or without the usage of quotation marks. Indirect discourse consists of reporting such statements indirectly, or without the usage of quotation marks. This is when a third person narrator summarizes the words of a character but replicates his or her characteristic idioms and patterns of thought. This is when a third person narrator summarizes the words of a character but replicates his or her characteristic idioms and patterns of thought. Example of Indirect Discourse: Example of Indirect Discourse: He said that he was tired and going home. He said that he was tired and going home. Philip assured them that he would come if he had the time. Philip assured them that he would come if he had the time.

Repartee Repartee is a quick-witted remark used in conversation. Repartee is a quick-witted remark used in conversation. Repartee is often used to show a character’s wit and usually adds humor to a more serious situation. Repartee is often used to show a character’s wit and usually adds humor to a more serious situation. Example of Repartee: Example of Repartee: “At a 1912 dinner party, Lady Astor became annoyed at an inebriated Churchill, who was pontificating on some topic. Reaching the end of her patience, she blurted out, ‘Winston, if you were my husband, I'd put poison in your coffee.’ Churchill famously replied: ‘Nancy, if you were my wife, I'd drink it.’” –Viva La Repartee, Dr. Mardy Grothe “At a 1912 dinner party, Lady Astor became annoyed at an inebriated Churchill, who was pontificating on some topic. Reaching the end of her patience, she blurted out, ‘Winston, if you were my husband, I'd put poison in your coffee.’ Churchill famously replied: ‘Nancy, if you were my wife, I'd drink it.’” –Viva La Repartee, Dr. Mardy Grothe

Soliloquy A speech given by a character from a play to relay his or her thoughts aloud to the audience and themselves. A speech given by a character from a play to relay his or her thoughts aloud to the audience and themselves. A soliloquy is given when no other character is present on stage, and can give the audience insight into a characters feelings or actions. A soliloquy is given when no other character is present on stage, and can give the audience insight into a characters feelings or actions. Examples of Soliloquies: Examples of Soliloquies: The “To Be or Not To Be” soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This is thought to be the most famous soliloquy. The “To Be or Not To Be” soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This is thought to be the most famous soliloquy. Iago’s “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse” speech from Shakespeare’s Othello. Iago’s “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse” speech from Shakespeare’s Othello.

Aside Aside is a quick remark made by a character that typically embodies a thought out loud about their present situation. Aside is a quick remark made by a character that typically embodies a thought out loud about their present situation. An aside is said in the accompaniment of others on stage, but is meant only to be heard by the audience, the speaker, and the person the remark was made to (if any). An aside is said in the accompaniment of others on stage, but is meant only to be heard by the audience, the speaker, and the person the remark was made to (if any). Example of Aside from Romeo and Juliet: Example of Aside from Romeo and Juliet: Juliet: Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I'll no longer be a Capulet. Romeo (Aside): Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? Juliet: 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague…" Juliet: Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I'll no longer be a Capulet. Romeo (Aside): Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? Juliet: 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague…"

Fin.