1. Writing (Really Good) Dialogue, Part 1
Dialogue should do one of the following:
Reveal characters’ relationships to one another.
Move the story forward.
Increase the tension.

2. What does this example tell you about the characters’ relationship?
“What’s the capital of Spain?” Jerry asked, pausing over his crossword puzzle. Susan looked up from her book and rolled her eyes. “Madrid, duh.” “Why are you so sarcastic all the time?” Jerry slammed his pencil on the table. He looked like he was going to cry. “I don’t think that I can take much more of this.”

3. How does this dialogue move the story forward?
The phone rang, and Jerry picked it up. “Hello?” There was a moment of silence on the other end. “Is this Jerry Simmons?” a male voice asked. “Yeah who is this?” The man paused. Jerry could hear him take a deep breath. “Jerry, my name is Dave. I’m your brother.” “If this is a prank, it isn’t funny,” Jerry said. “My family died a long time ago.” “Not your whole family,” Dave said. Jerry hung up the phone.

4. How does this dialogue increase the tension?
“Dave!” Jerry shouted. “We’ve got to get away from here! The building’s gonna blow!”
“We’ve go to go back!” Dave screamed.
“Why?”
Dave pointed at the roof. “Susan’s still up there!”

5. “Said is Dead!” Choose some of these words to add to your word bank
acknowledged
admitted
barked
bellowed
Blustered
bragged
complained
confessed
demanded
denied
hissed
howled
interrupted
muttered
roared
sang
screeched
snarled
threatened
whimpered
whined
whispered
wondered
yelled

6. Divide into groups of three.
Now It’s your Turn
Divide into groups of three.
Each group member must select a different reason for using dialogue.
Choose a setting ex. (two enemies meeting in a park).
Write 5-7 lines of dialogue each to highlight your understanding of how to write “really good dialogue”.
May the gift of the gab be with you!