This document discusses dialogue, defining it as the words spoken by characters. It explains that dialogue can be internal thoughts or external speech between characters. Effective dialogue fits both the character's personality and the current story situation. Authors use dialogue to reveal characters and advance the plot. Other characters' dialogue can also provide insight into a different character.

1. Dialogue
What is it? How do we use it?
What is
Dialogue?
How does
dialogue
move the
story
forward?

2. Dialogue: the words the characters are speaking
in a comic, story, play, graphic novel or poem.
• In comics and graphic novels,
you can find dialogue in
“speech bubbles”. This shows
what each character is saying
to move the story along.

3. In a play, dialogue looks more like
this…
We don’t have speech
bubbles, but we know who is
speaking because it is next to
the name of the character
speaking the words.

4. In a story, dialogue looks like this…
We don’t have
speech bubbles and
we also don’t have
names written next
to each line, but we
DO know who is
speaking because
the lines are labeled
with “she said” and
“he said”. Often
names are put here
as well.

5. There are two major kinds of
dialogue…Internal and External
• Di
• Dialogue can be in
one character’s
head…their
thoughts…
(internal dialogue)
OR…

6. There are two major kinds of
dialogue…Internal and External
• Dialogue can be
spoken between
2 or more
Characters
(External Dialogue)
That’s okay,
because we
believe in
you.

7. When creating Dialogue…
• The dialogue needs to fit
the character AND the
situation where the
dialogue is taking place.
I think I
want a
cheese
burger
With
lots of
fried
onions!
You want
fries with
that?
Is this likely to be the conversation
they are having based on the
situation?

8. The dialogue needs to fit the character AND the
situation where the dialogue is taking place.
The
dialogue is
the same
here as the
last slide.
Why does
it make
sense here
but not in
the last
slide?
I think I
want a
cheese
burger…
Do you
want
fries with
that?

9. When creating Dialogue…
• The dialogue needs to fit
the character AND the
situation where the
dialogue is taking place.
I want to
crush
their
bones!
We will
invade
their
castle!
The orks will
rule this
kingdom by
day’s end!
Whew! The dialogue matches the
situation in the story now.

10. What do you
learn about
Gwen from
the dialogue
used here?
• Authors use dialogue to help you get to know
a character, so whatever the character is
saying should match your character’s
personality.
“I’ve seen your kind
before. I lost my village
to monsters like you and
I will never trust your
people. Take one more
step. I dare you. I assure
you I’m an excellent
shot.”
What adjectives describe this character
based on what we’ve read in her
dialogue?

11. Authors use dialogue to help you get to know a character, so
whatever the character is saying match your character AND
move the story forward.
“I mean you no harm,
human. I am, sadly, the last
of the water dragons. I
need a safe place to grow
old and wise. You, princess,
are my kind’s only hope. I
swear to protect you and
your kingdom.”
My family has always
protected dragons. My father
told me before he died that
one day you would find me
and that I would need to keep
you hidden from the world
until you could protect
yourself. You are welcome
here, my friend.
What does this
dialogue teach us
about the water
dragon’s character?
What adjectives can
we use to describe
him?
What does this
dialogue teach us
about the
princess’s
character?
What adjectives
can we use to
describe her?
How does the dialogue move the story forward?

12. Sometimes you learn about one character from the
dialogue of the other characters.
“Once upon
a time, in a
far away
land…”
Kia! Do
the funny
voices!
Kia is so kind.
She always
reads the best
stories!
Not fair.
Kia always
makes me
sit back
here!
We might get different points of view however…

13. Dialogue Review Notes
• Dialogue: the words the characters are speaking in
a comic, story, play, graphic novel or poem.
• The two types of dialogue are internal
(thoughts) and external (spoken)
• Dialogue needs to fit the character’s
personality AND the situation in the story

14. Dialogue Review Notes
• Authors use dialogue to help you get
to know a character.
• Authors use dialogue to move the
story forward.
• Dialogue from other characters can
teach you more about a different
character. (They may not all agree!)