DIALOGUEDIALOGUEDIALOGUEDIALOGUE

GENERAL RULESGENERAL RULES

*** Dialogue requires the use of quotation marks!!!***

***All punctuation goes inside the quotation marks.***

RULE 1RULE 11. When starting a sentence using dialogue, be sure to skip a line and indent.

***However, the exception to this rule is that when your dialogue is placed IN THE MIDDLE of a sentence you DO NOT skip a line and indent.

Let me show you…

ExamplesExamples:

“Michael, I need to talk to you right now,” mom said sternly.

Nervously walking to the kitchen, fearing the worst, “I’m coming, Mom. Did my principal happen to call you at work today?” he inquired.

“Yes, as a matter of fact he did,” mom replied.

RULE 2:RULE 2:2. If you are writing a declarative or imperative sentence (ends with a period), you use a COMMA at the end of the quote INSTEAD of a period. The period will go at the very end of the completed sentence after the dialogue tag.

Example “I need to go to the mall today to

buy an outfit for the party this weekend,” Allison stated.

“Pass up your homework,” Mr. Abatemarco said to the class.

RULE 3:RULE 3:3. If the speaker is asking a question (interrogative ???) or making a strong statement (exclamatory !!!), you end your quote with the proper punctuation. A period will also go at the very end of the completed sentence.

“Can you please tell me what this delicious meal is that you just served?” John asked the cook.

“Why that’s our specialty—deep fried squirrel,” the cook replied.

“That’s DISGUSTING! I think I might

throw up!!” John screamed as his face turned green.

Simple, quick reference:

• New speaker= New paragraph

• Same speaker=same paragraph

• Punctuation goes INSIDE your quotation marks.

• The first word in your quotes must begin with a capital letter.

• Periods are replaced with commas when used in the quotations.

HomeworkHomework

• Write 8 sentences using dialogue.(2 declarative, 2 imperative, 2

interrogative, and 2 exclamatory)

Sentences need dialogue tags. (IDENTIFY SPEAKER).