DIALOGUE FUNCTIONS

Dialogue is conversation between two or more characters in a novel.

For the conversation to be interesting and engaging,  it should accomplish one or more of the following:

• Create tension.
• Arouse the reader’s curiosity.
• Cause a turn of events in the plot.
• Affect the relationship between participants for better or worse.
• Heighten the conflict in the novel. Conflict being the hurdle(s)  that prevent a character from attaining his/her goal. (See definitions of conflict in main menu.) The hurdles may be external forces (e.g. the antagonist(s),  or a natural disaster) or internal forces (e.g. the protagonist’s mind, or a personal weakness).

Novice writers create it instinctively. Effective dialogue is written to build a tempo, a pace in the story. Short sentences, whether dialogue, or part of narrative increase the pace of the novel. Long ones, extending over many lines, slow it down and can even cause  unnecessary pause or interruption in the plot.

Dialogue is a semblance of speech, not actual speech.

Example 1

“Sun will rise from the west tomorrow,” the scientist said.

“That is impossible,” replied his assistant. Instead, the assistant could have said, “Impossible!”

Example 2

“Will the sun rise from the west tomorrow?” he asked.

“I can’t say,” the scientist replied. ” He could have said, “Can’t say.”

Now go to CREATION submenu.