Enhancing prose, poetry, and drama

 Open and close dialogue with quotation marks  Punctuation inside the quote (commas, periods, question marks, exclamation points)  When a new character speaks, start a new paragraph  “Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away”  “Hi,” Jessica said. “I love it here!”  “Winter comes and winter goes.” “Why do you say that?” “Because it’s true.”

 Develop character Slang, standard English, integrates other languages, etc.  Develop plot Plot twists...suspect in murder mystery sending main character on a wild goose chase  Tells back story Character meets someone new and tells why he/she didn’t make it to college  Controls pace Comic relief, relaxed conversation slows the thriller

Miley spilled coffee on her clothing. “Oh, no!” Shaley, distraught by the outburst, asked, “What’s wrong?” Miley shook her head. “This was my favorite sweater that my grandmother gave me when I left for the United States.” “Oh, that’s too bad.”

Heart surgeon Butcher Vegetarian Murderer Bull fighter Traitor Hippie Yuppie Vandal Musician Student (high school or college) Politician  Select two of the following speakers and put them together and make them talk!

 Birthday party  Hit-and-run “accident”  Carnival  Riot  Concert  Puppet show  Olympic sporting event  Blind date  Book club meeting  Animal pool game