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- Writing and punctuating dialogue
Writing and punctuating dialogue
A few lines of well-punctuated dialogue can reveal character and speed up a story. Badly punctuated dialogue loses technical accuracy marks.
The rules
Put the spoken words inside speech marks.
Put punctuation that belongs to the speech inside the speech marks.
Start a new line each time a new person speaks.
'We should go,' said Ali.
Mia asked, 'Where to?'
Put punctuation that belongs to the speech inside the speech marks.
Start a new line each time a new person speaks.
'We should go,' said Ali.
Mia asked, 'Where to?'
Comma or full stop?
If the sentence continues after the speech, use a comma inside the speech marks: 'It's late,' she said.
If the speech is a question or exclamation, use ? or ! and carry on in lower case: 'Run!' he shouted.
If the speech comes after the speaker: He shouted, 'Run!'
If the speech is a question or exclamation, use ? or ! and carry on in lower case: 'Run!' he shouted.
If the speech comes after the speaker: He shouted, 'Run!'
Use it well
Keep dialogue short. Two or three lines can do a lot.
Let speech show character: a nervous character might stammer or trail off.
Vary the verbs carefully: whispered, snapped, muttered. 'Said' is fine most of the time.
Let speech show character: a nervous character might stammer or trail off.
Vary the verbs carefully: whispered, snapped, muttered. 'Said' is fine most of the time.
Punctuate: where are you going asked Tom
- The spoken words are 'where are you going'.
- It is a question, so the question mark goes inside the speech marks.
- Continue in lower case: asked Tom.
Answer: 'Where are you going?' asked Tom.
Speech marks around the spoken words, punctuation inside, a new line for each new speaker, and keep it short and purposeful.
Check you have got it
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