DFP Articles: Dialog Basics

DIALOG BASICS:

Here are some examples of different types of sentences with dialog, including internal thoughts set in Italics. Note how the dialog tags (i.e. "he said") are used and where the punctuation is placed.

The only time a dialog tag should be followed immediately by a comma is when a single sentence of dialog has been broken into two pieces, such as shown in Example-2. Never start a sentence with the dialog tag, such as shown in Example-5.

EXAMPLE-1:
     "I've warned you many times, but you never listen," he
said. "Don't throw rocks into a dragon's cave."

EXAMPLE-2:
     "I've warned you many times," he said, "but you never
listen. Don't throw rocks into a dragon's cave."

EXAMPLE-3:
     "I've warned you many times, but you never listen. Don't
throw rocks into a dragon's cave," he said.

EXAMPLE-4:
     I've warned you many times, but you never listen, he
thought. "Don't throw rocks into a dragon's cave."

EXAMPLE-5 (Incorrect):
     He said, "I've warned you many times, but you never
listen. Don't throw rocks into a dragon's cave."

Below are examples of correct dialog exchanges between two speakers. Note how the sentence structure can be varied for smooth weaving within a story scene.

SET-A:
     "I've warned you, but you never listen," he said. "Don't throw rocks into a dragon's cave."
     "Yes, you've told me. I heard it the first ten-thousand times."

SET-B:
     "I've warned you," he said, "but you never listen. Don't throw rocks into a dragon's cave."
     "Yes, you've told me," she answered. "I heard it the first ten-thousand times."

SET-C:
     "I've warned you, but you never listen. Don't throw rocks into a dragon's cave," he said.
     "Yes," she answered, "you've told me. I heard it the first ten-thousand times."

SET-D:
     I've warned you, but you never listen, he thought. "Don't throw rocks into a dragon's cave."
     "Yes, you've told me," she answered. "I heard it the first ten-thousand times."

Below is an example of mixed dialog and non-dialog complete sentences within paragraphs.

    "I've warned you, but you never listen." He pointed toward the dark and jagged maw that marked the entrance to the beast's lair. "Don't throw rocks into a dragon's cave."
     "Yes, you've told me." Her eyes narrowed, as she crossed her arms. "I heard it the first ten-thousand times."

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[Dialog Basics (Š2010 Terri L. Branson) posted on the Dragonfly Publishing Inc. website http://www.dragonflypubs.com - no unauthorized reproduction or distribution]