Dialogue Writing
A dialogue literally means “conversation normally between two or more people”. Dialogue-writing has gained a reputation of a very useful form of composition, especially for the third world countries in general and Students of Indian subcontinents in particular who are trying to gain a firm command of spoken English to have an international access. Under apt guidance they should be introduce to the colloquial way of talking English, and train them to express their thoughts in easy and natural constructions. The spoken English of the Students of Indian subcontinents is stilted and bookish because of the fact that they have not got much chances of talking with English people; and anything that will help them to acquire naturalness and ease in speaking in English is of great value and importance.
Writing an effective dialogue require some dramatic power as the writer has not only to see both sides of a question, but has also to put himself, so to speak, inside two imaginary persons so as to make them express their opposite opinions natural. He has in turn to be each one, and see the point of view of each on the question and react accordingly.
A written dialogue should be so composed that it appears to be spontaneous and well within the context. The reader of it should not feel that it is premeditated or fabricated piece of conversation.
Thus writing a dialogue requires careful preparation. It is always advisable to make rough outlines of the dialogue before actually start writing to make it to the point without any kind of rambling.
Procedure to be followed while writing an effective dialogue
- Carefully think over the subject given and note down opinions about it which might be expressed by the imaginary persons who are supposed to be talking.
- Arrange these ideas in some logical order, so that one will arise naturally from another in the course of the conversations.
- Try to imagine what would be the way in which each character in the dialogue would express his views, keeping in your mind a clear idea of the imaginary persons taking part in the conversation, so as to make them speak in character.
- Always remember that your dialogue on completion should read like a real, spontaneous conversation rather than any preplanned one. Thus try to make your imaginary character talk in an easy, familiar and natural way. Avoid stilted and bookish phrases.
Some important point to be kept in mind while writing an effective and natural dialogue
- Never let any of the character to monopolize the conversation, as if he were giving a public lecture. Let the conversation be brisk and rapid whereby every character getting an equal chance to talk.
- As in real conversation some time we encounter a condition where one person sometimes interrupts the other, a sparing use of such interruption in written dialogue is quite permissible as this adds to its naturalness.
- During real conversation, a speaker usually answers the questions by taking another; or sometimes, seeing what is coming, he answers a question before it is asked. You may enliven your dialogue by making your characters do the same now and then.
- In real conversation, people often use exclamations, surprise (e.g., “My word!” “Good heavens!”); pleasure (“How nice!” “Splendid!”) irritation (e.g., “Bother!” “O dear!”) so on. Such interjections may be introduced from time to time but very sparingly.
- The dialogue should begin in an interesting way, so that the reader’s attention may be arrested their and then. And the conversation should lead up to some definite conclusion. It should not end abruptly. Opening sentences and the conclusion of the conversation should be given due importance.
- What may be the style in which the persons in the dialogue are made to talk; they must talk good English having correct use of grammar. Keeping these points in view, write your dialogue in as natural, interesting and realistic manner. The whole conversation should be brief and the questions and answers as concise as possible.
