Using dialogue in stories (in fact in any writing) creates realism and involves readers, allowing them to see and feel what is happening. However, writing believable, realistic dialogue takes care, not only in creating the dialogue itself, but also in knowing how to allow the readers to know who said what.

The first step in writing “good” dialogue is to have it sound natural. Listen to how people talk. Note regional dialects, commonly used slang, accents, and even formal English usage. When using dialects or accents, though, be sure each is used well enough that the reader can still understand what the character is saying.

As well as sounding realistic, good dialogue reveals a character’s personality and background. For example, a reader would expect a person who speaks very formal English to be well educated, perhaps of a higher economic status than most people. Perhaps, that character is really pretentious. Either way, having him speak formally lets the reader know something about him.

Using words in place of “said” that show how a person speaks reveals things about a character, too. He muttered as he turned away, “I don’t believe a word of it.” Other words such as shouted, mumbled, whined, begged, or complained add more about the character than the words spoken do by themselves.

Also, dialogue moves the plot or action of the story. The current thought of “show, don’t tell” makes the use of dialogue even more important, allowing the speaker’s words show what is happening or will happen.

Dialogue can show relationship between characters. A writer can reveal how they feel about each other by allowing their words to speak. Gentle speech shows fondness or love. Interruptions or harsh words indicate different emotions.

Using dialogue tags aren’t always necessary. For example, when two people are volleying comments back and forth in short spurts of speech, unless confusion is possible, using tags isn’t necessary. Of course other information may be used in the same paragraph to help the reader know what occurs with the conversation:

Malcom released a strong burst of air before he turned back to Alice. “I’m not sure I understand you at all.”

“What’s not to understand? I’m tired of these games.”

“I’m not playing any game.”

If the conversation becomes lengthy, using tags occasionally also helps keep the reader from becoming confused. Giving action information in the paragraph also helps to avoid confusion, but the action should be by the speaker in that paragraph.

Many excellent substitutes exist for “said,” but sometimes that word is the best tag to use. Of course, as discussed earlier, sometimes no tag is necessary at all. According to Nancy Kress, Writer’s Digest November 2005, “. . . when used reasonably, readers don’t actually notice dialogue tags; they should bled into the page. Some words that identify tone of voice can sharpen the reader’s mental image without calling undue attention to themselves.”

The important thing to remember is to make dialogue believable, understandable, and a pivotal part of the story, using tags only as needed.

Sources: 1. Writer’s Companion, Prentice Hall.
2. Writer’s Digest, November 2005.
3. Notes and lesson plans from Vivian Gilbert Zabel

Vivian Gilbert Zabel taught English, composition, and creative writing for twenty-five years, honing her skills as she studied and taught. She is a author on Writers (http://www.Writing.Com/), and her portfolio can be found at http://www.Writing.Com/authors/vzabel. Her books, Hidden Lies and Other Stories and Walking the Earth: Life's Perspectives in Poetry, can be found through Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com.

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