Punctuating DialogueMaking Your Characters Talk, Correctly

Objectives

Today, we are going to learn how to correctly format dialogue in narrative writing.

This will help us improve our writing skills

What Is Dialogue?

Dialogue is a discussion or conversation between two or more people

In writing, dialogue is the discussion between two or more characters.

The Rules to Writing Dialogue

Indent for each new speaker (New speaker=New paragraph)

Put the exact words of the speaker in quotation marks (“ “)

Tag Lines

Tag Lines tell the reader who said something. There are 3 different kinds: Before the quote: Jon asked, “Where did

everyone go?” After the Quote: “Every one decided to go,”

said Jon. In the Middle of a Quote: “I have a dog,”

said Jane. “Do you have any pets?” OR “I have two dogs,” said Jane, “that fight all the time.”

Let’s Practice

peggy said i have two cats do you have any pets

Peggy said, “I have two cats. Do you have any pets?”

i have two dogs, three fish and seven snails said joe

“I have two dogs, three fish and seven snails,” said Joe.

More Practice

i have two cats said peggy do you have any pets

“I have two cats,” said Peggy. “Do you have any pets?”

im not sure said sue if i know how to do this test

“I’m not sure,” said Sue, “if I know how to do this test.”

Now It’s YOUR turn

Complete the dialogue worksheets, making the necessary corrections.

Let’s See How You Did

has he brought any papers home asked mother

“Has he brought any papers home?” asked Mother.

he shook the tree so hard said joan that the apples fell to the ground

“He shook the tree so hard,” said Joan, “that the apples fell to the ground.”

we’re going to write an editorial today said mr cumberland

“We’re going to write an editorial today,” said Mr. Cumberland.

get out of here she said before I call the police

“Get out of here,” she said, “before I call the police!”

dad said lets go to eagle park if it doesn’t rain

Dad said, “Let’s go to Eagle Park if it doesn’t rain.”

ive never been to california remarked jane maybe my family will go this summer

“I’ve never been to California,” remarked Jane. “Maybe my family will go this summer.”

peggy said why are you so early Peggy said, “Why are you so early?” im not sure said sue if i have a

detention this morning or not “I’m not sure,” said Sue, “if I have a

detention this morning or not.”

i dont think there are any detentions today said fred

“I don’t think there are any detentions today,” said Fred.

are you kidding asked sue i cant believe i got up early for nothing

“Are you kidding?” asked Sue. “I can’t believe I got up early for nothing!”

Let’s try Editing a Paragraph

get your room cleaned up mother ssaid or you’re not going to the show chris shouted that’s not fair it’s joe’s room too joe will be home later to take care of his half now are you going to get started mother scolded I guess so muttered chris why doesn’t joe ever have to do anything around here he does plenty mom said chris said I never see him do much of anything but study well answered mom you’re never around very much

That’s Better

“Get your room cleaned up,” Mother said, “or you’re not going to the show!”

Chris shouted, “That’s not fair! It’s Joe’s room too!”“Joe will be home later to take care of his half. Now

are you going to get started?” Mother scolded.“I guess so,” muttered Chris. “Why doesn’t Joe

ever have to do anything around here?”“He does plenty,” Mom said.Chris said, “I never see him do much of anything

but study.”“Well,” answered Mom, “you’re never around very

much.”

Now It’s YOUR Turn

Read the following paragraph and use it to answer the attached questions.

Then, re-write the paragraph so the dialogue is written and punctuated correctly.