USING DIALOGUE IN YOUR WRITING​

 ​​Objectives: ​I can use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, description, and pacing, to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations. (W 5.3b)

Dialogue is conversation between two of more people in a book, play, or movie.  Dialogue helps the reader understand the Point of View (first, second, third).  Dialogue gives life to your characters and helps your story come to life.

“Mom, do I need to eat my liver?”

“Yes, you do. I had to when I was a kid. Ask your grandma.”

“Is that true?” asked Max. “Did she have to eat this stuff when she was my age?”

"Yes, Little Max. She did, just like you should.”

LET'S PRACTICE

Step 1:  Read the text you have written.

Step 2:  Look for a place to insert conversation between your characters.

Step 3:  Write!

Prompt #1

The neighborhood boys were playing baseball in the street. They were having a great time until Donte hit a fly ball that went right into the Robertson’s window. Glass shattered everywhere, and Mr. Robertson came out the door. All the boys ran, and Donte was left to explain and apologize to a very angry Mr. Robertson. After a long
conversation, Donte agreed to pay for the window and to be sure it got fixed. Then Donte headed off to find his “friends.”

Prompt #2

Tanya had not done her math homework last night, and she had hoped that Mr. Jackson would not find out. Sometimes he just went over it quickly without checking if everyone had done it. When she got to class, however, they went over the homework, and he called on her. She was embarrassed, and she told him a lie in front of the class to explain why she didn’t have it. She felt guilty after class, and she stayed after to tell him the truth.