Tips to write a good dialogue/conversation

Tips to write a good dialogue/conversation

1) Identify the speakers:

how many are they?

- who are they?

- what are their relationships?

- Do they all appear in the text or do we have to invent some of them? 

2) Identifier le niveau de langue :

- identify the language level:

- Formal or familiar situation?

-Although it is an oral language, the level of language may vary depending on the characters and the situation.

3) Write an introductory sentence :

- Specify the scene, the context, the participants.

Ex: Betty and John are in love but they had an argument (dispute) last night. John is now trying to convince Betty to get back together.

4) Pay attention to the layout:

- No dashes contrary to French.

- All comments are written in quotation marks.

- Go to the line every time there is a new speaker. 

5) Vary introductory verbs:

Affirmation => say, tell, agree, admit, add, announce, declare, explain, insist, offer, remind, warn...

Advice => advise, forbid, order, should

Question => ask, inquire, wonder, want to know

Answer => answer, reply, explain

In a dialogue all these verbs are written in the past simple (preferably)

(See the list below)

6) Enrich your sentences using adverbs as they add nuances to verbs:

- politely, kindly, quietly, shyly, nicely, curiously, frankly, honestly, sincerely...

- angrily, drily, nervously, loudly, rudely, suspiciously, scornfully, badly...

7) Give indications on the actions and reactions of the characters:

Ex: "Come in !" John said

"No, I'd rather not.", Betty replied nervously. She started to turn around.

"Oh please, stay a while !" he asked. "Be nice..."

"Don't tell me what I must do ! Leave me alone !", she shouted furiously, slamming the door shut.

8) Use common or even familiar contracted forms: (but only between inverted commas)

- can't, I'm, there's, we'll, let's ...

- ain't ( am not ), gonna ( going to ), wanna ( want to), gotta ( got to ), gimme ( give me )

9) Use gap fillers:

- well, you know... you see... I mean... actually...

10. End your dialogue with a concluding sentence.

“Never” she shouted before she rushed out of the room leaving everybody speechless.

Other dialogue tags: (with their equivalent in French)

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