DIALOGUE AND TRANSITIONSShirley Ann Ortiz Vélez

Astrid Collazo

EING 4020

University of Puerto Rico

Río Piedras’ Campus

FUNCTION OF DIALOGUE:

Dialogue occurs when two or more characters are speaking to each other in a story.

1. Dialogue reveals character.

2. Dialogue gives necessary information.

3. Dialogue moves the plot along.

4. Dialogue can show what one character thinks of another character.

5. Dialogue can reveal conflict and build tension.

6. Dialogue can show how someone feels.

STRUCTURE AND FORMAT

Create a new paragraph every time the speaker changes:

STRUCTURE AND FORMAT

All dialogue goes inside quotation marks:

STRUCTURE AND FORMAT

All punctuation goes inside the quotation marks:

*Important: We have to mention that it is important to identify who said who because in this particular dialogue, it is confusing to decipher who said what.

STRUCTURE AND FORMAT

If you insert the speaker’s name in the middle of a quote, insert it at the end of the speaker’s first sentence and punctuate appropriately:

(example)

When a speaker speaks more than one paragraph, do not put end quotation marks at the end of the first paragraph, only put them at the end of the very last paragraph, and put open quotation marks at the beginning of every paragraph:

(example)

STRUCTURE AND FORMAT

If a character is thinking something or saying something to his or herself just use italics to indicate that the speech is internal:

While she was waiting for the door to open, she started to think how is this happening? But after finishing the thought, the door started to open.

STRUCTURE AND FORMAT

When a speaker quotes another speaker, use a single opening and closing quotation mark to indicate the quote. This is done using the apostrophe key:

“I can’t believe you didn’t hear him! ‘I will come for you’ were the exact words coming out of his mouth!”

DIALOGUE AS A DESCRIPTIVE TOOL IN SHORT STORIES

Too many writers rely on dialogue for story exposition—that is to say

that they relay details about plot or backstory through the things their

characters say. The result? Writing that sounds completely fake or is what is

often referred to as “on the nose dialogue”. The use of dialogue beats help

with story pacing and to convey information or emotion. Dialogue beats are

brief depictions of character action inserted in between dialogue that help

bring the scene to life.

PRACTICE EXERCISE

In your notebooks, correct this paragraph using what we just discussed regarding the correct use of dialogue

FUNCTION OF TRANSITIONS

Transitions are words or phrases that show the relationship between

paragraphs or sections of a text or speech.  They are meant to convey

information clearly and concisely, if not to convert the reader to a way of

thinking. Transitions help to achieve these goals by establishing logical

connections between sentences, paragraphs, and sections of your papers.

In other words, transitions tell readers what to do with the information

presented to them.

TRANSITIONAL WORDS AND PHRASES

Transitional words and phrases can create powerful links between

ideas in your paper and can help your reader understand the logic of your

paper. However, these words all have different meanings, nuances, and

connotations. Before using a particular transitional word in your paper, be

sure you understand its meaning and usage completely and be sure that

it's the right match for the logic in your paper.

Addition: Consequence: Contrast and

Comparison:

Direction: Diversion: Emphasis: Summarizing:

also, again, as well as, besides, coupled with, furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover, similarly

accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason, for this purpose, hence, otherwise, so then, subsequently, therefore, thus, thereupon, wherefore

contrast, by the same token, conversely, instead, likewise,on one hand, on the other hand, on the contrary, rather,similarly, yet, but, however, still, nevertheless, in contrast

here, there, over there, beyond, nearly, opposite, under, above,to the left, to the right, in the distance

by the way, incidentally

above all, chiefly, with attention to, especially, particularly, singularly

after all, all in all, all things considered, briefly, by and large, in any case, in any event, in brief, in conclusion, on the whole, in short, in summary, in the final analysis, in the long run, on balance, to sum up, to summarize, finally

Exception: Generalizing:

Exemplifying:

Illustration: Similarity: Restatement:

Sequence:

aside from, barring, beside, except, excepting, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside of, save

as a rule, as usual, for the most part, generally, generally speaking, ordinarily, usually

chiefly, especially, for instance, in particular, markedly, namely, particularly, including, specifically, such as

for example, for instance, for one thing, as an illustration, illustrated with, as an example, in this case

comparatively, coupled with, correspondingly, identically, likewise, similar, moreover, together with

in essence, in other words, namely, that is, that is to say, in short, in brief, to put it differently

at first, first of all, to begin with, in the first place, at the same time,for now, for the time being, the next step, in time, in turn, later on,meanwhile, next, then, soon, the meantime, later, while, earlier,simultaneously, afterward, in conclusion, with this in mind,

TRANSITIONAL IDEAS

Transitions are used by the author to help the reader progress from one significant idea to the next. Transitions also show the relationship within a paragraph (or within a sentence) between the main idea and the support the author gives for those ideas:

It was the wall. There were millions of puzzle pieces revealing a hidden message that read: I FOUND YOU in dark red. In that instant, she heard a noise. Then, she looked to her left. It was Puzzle creeping up on her. At the same time, she felt scared and unsure of what to do so she went back to her room and locked the door. As a result, she went directly to the bed and covered herself with the bed overs. Finally, she forced herself to sleep.

USAGE IN SHORT STORIES:

Transitions are bridges that help keep the reader on the path of the story. They should be short and smooth, and there are many different types that connect different elements of a story:Between times or moments

• Between locations or settings

• Between characters (POV shifts)

• Between stimulus and reaction

• Between scenes and sequels

• Between moods, tones, emotional shifts, or significant changes of pace

PRACTICE EXERCISE

Re-write this paragraph adding at least 4 transitional words where needed.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• Clemments, Mr. "Writing: Formating Dialogue." 16 March 2013. Mr. Clemments Literature & Comunications Design. 24 November 2013. blog.

• http://www.mrclements.com/?p=898

• Francis, Scott. "Writing Dialogue: The 5 Best Ways To Make Your Characters’ Conversations Seem Real." 2012 February 14. Writer's Digest

Write Better, Get Published. 24 November 2013. web.

• http://www.writersdigest.com/uncategorized/writing-dialogue-the-5-best-ways-to-make-your-characters-conversations-seem-real

• Jackson, Ellen. Dialogue. n.d. 24 November 2013. blog.

• http://www.ellenjackson.net/dialogue_61473.htm

• Kuehn, Stephanie. "Narrative, Transitions & Maintaining Forward Momentum In Your Story." 27 March 2012. Adventures in YA Publishing. 24

November 2013. blog.

• http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.com/2012/03/narrative-transitions-maintaining.html

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• Landsberger, Joseph Frank. "Transitional Words and Phrases." n.d. Study Guides and Strategies. 24 November

2013.web.

• http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr6.htm

• University of Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Transitions." n.d. The Writing Center. 24 November 2013. web.

• http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/transitions/

• University of Wisconsin. " The Writer's Handbook Using Transitions." n.d. The Writing Center. 24 November 2013. web.

• http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Transitions.html

LETS PRACTICE!