Sneaky Dialogue Using dialogue to describe characters Its
Sneaky Dialogue Using dialogue to describe characters.
• “It’s dialogue that gives your cast their voices, and is crucial in defining their characters-only what people do tells us more about what they’re like, and talk is sneaky: what people say often conveys their character to others in ways of which they-the speakers-are completely unaware. ” -Stephen King On Writing, Pg. 180 • One of the cardinal rules of good fiction- “never tell us a thing if you can show us. . . ” -Stephen King On Writing, Pg. 180
• “What the dawgone heck--” he said. “It sure looks like a great big-aw, what’m Ah talkin’ about? It cain’t be. Heck, it just ain’t possible!” --Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks • Describe this character’s personality. • How do you see this character? • How does the dialogue help you picture or understand his personality? • Think about particular words or phrases that allow you to do this.
❖ Choose one of the following pictures. ❖ Write dialogue for a character(s) in the picture. ❖ Try to use the dialogue to help the reader understand the personality of the character. ❖ TO THINK ABOUT: ➢ What might this character say? ➢ What might be happening around this character? (scene)
• Think about a piece you’ve written where you might be able to add dialogue to a character to show their personality to the reader instead of telling them.
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