What is a dialogue?

  • A dialogue is a written conversation between two or more people.
  • It is similar to a play script.
  • You will need to write about 150 words in your dialogue if you choose it in a writing exam.

The layout of a dialogue

  • The speaker’s name goes against the left margin.
  • Use a colon (:) after the speaker’s name.
  • Start each new piece of dialogue on a new line.
  • Do NOT put the speaker’s words into quotation marks (also called inverted commas or speech marks). This is one of the most common mistakes that learners make when they write a dialogue in an exam.
  • You can use directions. Put these in brackets immediately after the speaker’s name, but before their spoken words. But try to use as few directions as possible.
  • A short dialogue does not have to be broken into different scenes. A longer dialogue can be broken into different scenes.

What are some of the features of a dialogue?

You can use informal language if that is how the speakers would speak to each other. For example, if two friends are talking to each other, they would use informal language such as contractions like “I’m”. They would use informal words like “Hi.”

Use formal language if that is how the speakers would speak to each other. For example, if the dialogue is between a young person and an adult, they would use formal language.

You should not use slang or any offensive words. Remember, this is a test of your ability to write, so the examiner wants to see that you can write in correct English.

Use punctuation marks such as question marks and exclamation marks to show how the speakers speak.

Use a dash (-) to show that a speaker has been interrupted.

Use ellipsis (…) to show that a speaker does not finish his or her words.

How to plan a dialogue

You could plan a dialogue like this:

  • The first two pieces of dialogue should set the scene of what is happening.
  • Each speaker should speak about the same number of times.
  • Do not “waste” any of the dialogue. Each time a speaker speaks, they should say something that develops your topic. So do not waste time having exchanges like:

– Hello.
– Hello.
– How are you?
– I’m fine. And you?
– I’m fine.

  • Do not exceed the word length. Remember that you are writing one dialogue, not a whole play or television episode!

Should you choose a dialogue in an exam?

Yes, if you know how to lay it out properly. Also, make sure that you are able to show the development through the words a person says.