How do I incorporate dialogue into my

narrative?

1. Start a new paragraph each time a person speaks.

This alerts the reader to speaker changes.

1. Start a new paragraph each time a person speaks.

Example . . .

“What is wrong, Jonas? It was only a game, “Fiona

said.

“You ruined it,” Asher said in an irritated voice.

“Don’t play it anymore,” Jonas pleaded.

“I’m the one who’s training for Assistant Recreation

Director,” Asher pointed out angrily. “Games aren’t your

area of expertness.”

2. Add dialogue tags

• These remind the reader of

the speaker.

Example:

“I don’t want to go back!” Jonas shouted.

3. Break the dialogue into short paragraphs of

action:

• A. Describe what the character is doing

• B. Describe what the character is thinking

• C. Describe what the character is feeling

4. Use a comma between the dialogue and the tag

line:(commas ALWAYS go INSIDE quotation

marks!)

“I accept your apology Asher,” he said wearily.

5. When a tag line interrupts a sentence, it should be set off by commas. Note that the first letter of the second half of the sentence is in lower case.

“Giver,” he said, “tell me what happened. Please.”

5. When a tag line interrupts a sentence, it should be set off by commas. Note that the first letter of the second half of the sentence is in lower case.

“Giver,” he said, “tell me what happened. Please.”