Dialogue Rules, Dude.
Dialogue Rules!
· Dialogue requires the use of
“quotation marks.”
· Start a new paragraph every
time a new speaker speaks. Paragraphs are indented.
· Punctuation goes to the left
of the quotation mark.
· A tag line tells the reader
who spoke.
· Use a comma at the end of
the quotation if the tag line is a sentence fragment.
Example: “Dialogue is difficult to
punctuate,” warned Mr. Kline, the fantastic creative writing teacher.
· Use a period at the end of
the quotation if the tag line is a complete sentence.
Example: “It may be hard, but I can
do it.” Mary immediately began writing.
· If the tag line precedes the
quotation, separate them with a comma.
Example: Mr. Kline said, “I know you
can. Did I mention what a good creative writing teacher you have?”
· Often, clauses that follow
the tag line require a comma.
Example: “Yes. Several times,”
groaned Mary, rolling her eyes.
· Question marks and
exclamation points also go to the left of the quotation mark.
Example: “Where do question marks
go?” asked Mr. Kline.
Example: “To the left! To the left!”
chanted the enthusiastic kids.
· When the tag line interrupts
a single sentence, it is surrounded by commas (both of which are to the left of
the quotation mark).
Example: “I know it’s complicated,”
he encouraged, “but it sounds like you’re getting the hang of it.”
· When the tag line interrupts
two complete sentences, it is preceded by a comma (or a question mark or an
exclamation point) and followed by a period.
Example: “I hope we get to practice
soon,” Mary urged. “I learn more from doing than from listening.”
