Dialogue
Dialogue Rules
Dialogue Rules
RULE #1: A direct quotation begins with a capital letter.
RULE #1: A direct quotation begins with a capital letter.
Andre shouted, “See you at the game!”
Andre shouted, “See you at the game!”
“Is it true?" asked Cindy.
“Is it true?" asked Cindy.
RULE #2: When a quotation is interrupted into two parts with words like “he asked” or “the teacher demanded,” the second part begins with a lower case letter.
RULE #2: When a quotation is interrupted into two parts with words like “he asked” or “the teacher demanded,” the second part begins with a lower case letter.
“What are some of the things,” Mrs. Howes inquired, “that make school so much fun?”
“What are some of the things,” Mrs. Howes inquired, “that make school so much fun?”
“One thing I like,” replied Sam, “is recess!”
“One thing I like,” replied Sam, “is recess!”
RULE #3: When writing dialogue, all punctuation marks at the end of the quotation go inside the quotation marks.
RULE #3: When writing dialogue, all punctuation marks at the end of the quotation go inside the quotation marks.
“Let's visit the museum,” suggested Sierra.
“Let's visit the museum,” suggested Sierra.
Jon replied, “Didn't we go there last weekend?”
Jon replied, “Didn't we go there last weekend?”
“But when we did,” Beth added, “we didn't see the Ancient China exhibit.”
“But when we did,” Beth added, “we didn't see the Ancient China exhibit.”
RULE #4: Do not put a period at the end of a quotation followed by things like she said, mom asked, he explained, etc. Use commas, question marks, and exclamation marks but not periods. Periods end sentences.
RULE #4: Do not put a period at the end of a quotation followed by things like she said, mom asked, he explained, etc. Use commas, question marks, and exclamation marks but not periods. Periods end sentences.
“My Algebra class is driving me crazy!” Paul shouted.
“My Algebra class is driving me crazy!” Paul shouted.
“That's my favorite class,” Becky replied.
“That's my favorite class,” Becky replied.
RULE #5: Make a new paragraph (indent) when a different person begins to speak.
RULE #5: Make a new paragraph (indent) when a different person begins to speak.
"Last night, I dreamt that I ate a giant marshmallow," Kevin said.
"Last night, I dreamt that I ate a giant marshmallow," Kevin said.
"Was that anything like the dream you had about eating your way through a mountain of fruit cocktail?" asked Suzy.
"Was that anything like the dream you had about eating your way through a mountain of fruit cocktail?" asked Suzy.
"Scarier," Kevin explained. "This time I woke up and my pillow was gone."
"Scarier," Kevin explained. "This time I woke up and my pillow was gone."
OTHER REMINDERS:
OTHER REMINDERS:
-Always make it clear who is speaking in the dialogue.
-Always make it clear who is speaking in the dialogue.
-Try to avoid using the word “said” repeatedly.
-Try to avoid using the word “said” repeatedly.
Dialogue Challenge!
Dialogue Challenge!
You might find a code if you get the answers correct!
Hint! It is easier to do the challenge if you open the activity in a new window! You can do that by clicking the arrow in the upper right-hand corner.