The nine rules for writing dialogue are:
1. Use Quotation Marks to Indicate Spoken Word: When a character is speaking, enclose their dialogue within quotation marks. This helps to differentiate spoken words from other narrative elements.
2. Dialogue Tags Stay Outside the Quotation Marks: Dialogue tags, such as “he said” or “she asked,” should be placed outside the quotation marks. For example: “I can’t believe it,” she said.
3. Use a Separate Sentence for Actions That Happen Before or After the Dialogue: If there are actions or descriptions that occur before or after the dialogue, they should be written as separate sentences. This helps to maintain clarity and avoid confusion. For example:
Mary sighed. “I’m tired of waiting.”
4. Use Single Quotes When Quoting Something Within the Dialogue: If a character quotes someone or something within their dialogue, use single quotation marks. This helps to distinguish the quoted text from the character’s own words. For example:
“John said, ‘I’ll be there soon,'” she repeated.
5. Start a New Paragraph for Each New Speaker: When a new character speaks, start a new paragraph. This helps readers keep track of who is speaking and avoids confusion. For example:
John turned to Mary and said, “What do you think?”
Mary shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
6. Use Dialogue Tags and Actions to Attribute Speech: To identify who is speaking, use dialogue tags (e.g., “he said,” “she asked”) or character actions. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity. For example:
“I can’t believe it,” he said with a sigh.
7. Use Interruptions and Overlapping Dialogue for Realism: To make dialogue feel natural and realistic, incorporate interruptions and overlapping speech. This can add depth to the characters and create a more authentic conversation.
8. Use Dialogue to Show, Not Tell: Instead of relying solely on narrative exposition, use dialogue to reveal character traits, emotions, and conflicts. This allows readers to engage with the story on a deeper level.
9. Use Proper Punctuation: Ensure that dialogue is punctuated correctly. Start a new paragraph each time a new speaker begins, and use commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation marks appropriately. This helps to maintain clarity and readability.
By following these nine rules, your dialogue will be well-structured, engaging, and effective in conveying the thoughts, emotions, and interactions of your characters.