Understanding Dialogue in Fiction Writing

Atiyeh Sadeghi
May 15
3 min read

Dialogue is a crucial element in fiction writing that serves multiple purposes such as revealing character traits, advancing the plot, and providing realism. In this guide, we will explore how to craft effective dialogue that meets these objectives while adhering to correct punctuation and formatting standards.

Purpose of Dialogue

1. Revealing Character

Dialogue is a powerful tool for character development. Through the words of a character, writers can convey personality, background, and emotions. Here are some tips:

Voice and Diction: Ensure each character has a unique voice. Consider factors like age, education, and cultural background.
Subtext: Often, what characters don't say is as important as what they do say. Use subtext to add depth.
Consistency: Characters should speak in a manner consistent with their established traits and development arc.

2. Advancing the Plot

Dialogue can move the story forward by revealing new information, creating conflict, or providing resolution. Consider the following:

Purposefulness: Every line of dialogue should serve a purpose, whether it’s revealing a clue or escalating tension.
Pacing: Use dialogue to control the pacing of the story. Quick exchanges can build tension, while longer dialogues may provide critical exposition.
Conflict and Resolution: Dialogue is an excellent medium for conflict, which is essential for plot progression.

Realistic and Purposeful Dialogue

Creating Realism

Natural Speech Patterns: Avoid overly formal language unless it fits the character. Use contractions and colloquialisms as appropriate.
Interruptions and Overlaps: In real life, conversations are rarely linear. Characters can interrupt or talk over each other.
Varied Sentence Lengths: Mix short and long sentences to reflect natural speech.

Purposeful Interaction

Information Delivery: Use dialogue to provide essential background or plot details in a way that feels organic.
Character Dynamics: Dialogue can illustrate relationships and power dynamics between characters.

Correct Punctuation and Formatting

Basic Rules

Quotation Marks: Enclose spoken words in quotation marks. For example: "I can't believe you did that," she said.
Dialogue Tags: Use tags like "he said" or "she asked" to clarify who is speaking. These should typically follow the dialogue with a comma inside the quotation marks.
New Paragraphs for New Speakers: Start a new paragraph each time the speaker changes.
Punctuation: Commas and periods go inside the quotation marks in American English. For example, "I'm not sure," he replied.
British English:
- Commas and periods go outside the quotation marks unless they are part of the original quoted material.
  - Example: He said, "I'm not ready".
  - Example: Did she really say, "I don't care"?
  - But: She said, "I'm tired," and left. (comma is part of her full sentence)

Special Cases

Interrupted Dialogue: Use an em dash to indicate interruptions. For example: "Wait, I just—"
Trailing Off: Use ellipses for dialogue that trails off. For example: "I was thinking that maybe..."
Internal Dialogue: Italicize thoughts if they are internal dialogue. For example: I can't believe this is happening.

Examples

Example 1: Revealing Character

"You're always so optimistic," John scoffed, rolling his eyes. "It's like you live in a different world."

Example 2: Advancing the Plot

"We need to get out of here," Sarah whispered urgently. "They're coming for us."

Example 3: Realistic Conversation

"Did you see the news?" Mark asked. "No, why?" Lisa replied, glancing up. "There's... something you should know."

By mastering these techniques, you can create dialogue that is not only realistic and purposeful but also effective in revealing character and advancing your plot.