Quoting dialogue between two characters in a story is essential for bringing your characters to life and creating a sense of realism. Here's how to do it effectively:
1. Start with a Speaker Tag
Each line of dialogue needs a speaker tag to indicate who is speaking. This tag typically includes the character's name followed by a verb like "said" or "asked."
- Example: "I'm going to the store," said John.
2. Use Quotation Marks
Enclose the dialogue itself within quotation marks. Use double quotation marks (" ") for the main dialogue and single quotation marks (' ') for dialogue within dialogue.
- Example: "I heard you're going to the store," said Mary. "Are you getting anything for me?"
3. Punctuation Rules
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Periods and commas go inside the closing quotation mark.
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Question marks and exclamation points go inside the closing quotation mark if they are part of the dialogue, and outside if they are part of the sentence as a whole.
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Semicolons and colons go outside the closing quotation mark.
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Example: "I'm going to the store," said John. "But I don't know if I'll have time to stop by the bakery."
4. Dialogue Tags
Dialogue tags can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of the dialogue.
- Example:
- Beginning: "I'm going to the store," said John.
- Middle: "I'm going to the store," John said, "but I don't know if I'll have time to stop by the bakery."
- End: "I'm going to the store," John said.
5. Avoid Repetition
Vary your dialogue tags to avoid repetition. Use synonyms for "said," like "asked," "replied," "whispered," "shouted," and so on.
- Example:
- "I'm going to the store," John said.
- "Are you getting anything for me?" Mary asked.
6. Paragraph Breaks
Use a new paragraph for each new speaker.
- Example:
"I'm going to the store," John said.
"Are you getting anything for me?" Mary asked.
"Maybe," John replied. "I'll see what they have."
7. Action Tags
Action tags can help to show the speaker's emotions or actions.
- Example: "I'm going to the store," John said, smiling.
8. Dialogue Attribution
Sometimes, you may not need a speaker tag. You can use dialogue attribution to indicate who is speaking, using phrases like "he said" or "she whispered."
- Example: "I'm going to the store," he said.
Remember, the key is to write dialogue that sounds natural and engaging. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for your story.
