10 Examples of Effective Dialogue to Enhance Your Writing

Published on 20 June 2023 9 min read

7. Balance Dialogue and Narration

8. Use Dialogue Tags Sparingly

Writing engaging and effective dialogue is an important skill for any writer. Whether you're working on a novel, screenplay, or short story, mastering this skill can make your characters come alive and draw readers into your story. In this blog, we'll explore 10 examples of effective dialogue techniques that will enhance your writing and make your characters' conversations more compelling. Let's dive in and discover some dialogue examples that can improve your storytelling.

1. Show, Don't Tell

One of the most important principles in good dialogue is to show, rather than tell, what's happening. This means using dialogue to reveal character traits, emotions, and relationships without explicitly stating them. Here are some tips to help you show instead of tell:

Use actions and reactions: Instead of having a character say they're angry, show their anger through their actions or reactions, like slamming a door or raising their voice.
Include nonverbal communication: Facial expressions, gestures, and body language can convey emotions and character dynamics much more effectively than words alone. For example, a character rolling their eyes or crossing their arms can speak volumes about their attitude.
Choose the right words: Each character should have a unique voice, and the words they use can reveal a lot about their personality, background, and emotions. Opt for words that convey the character's feelings without stating them outright.

Let's look at a dialogue example that demonstrates showing instead of telling:

In this example, we can see the character's emotions and relationship without directly being told. The character's actions, body language, and word choice all work together to show, rather than tell, what's happening.

2. Use Silence Effectively

Effective dialogue isn't just about what's being said—it's also about what isn't being said. Silence can be a powerful tool in your writing arsenal, helping to build tension, convey emotion, and create memorable moments. Here's how to use silence effectively in your dialogue:

Use pauses for impact: A well-placed pause can add weight to a statement or give a character time to process information. For example, a character who is shocked or surprised might need a moment of silence before they respond.
Let characters' actions speak for them: Sometimes, actions can be more revealing than words. If a character is hurt or upset, they might not want to talk about their feelings, but their actions can convey their emotions in a more powerful way.
Build tension through silence: When characters are at odds or a difficult conversation is taking place, silence can help to build tension and create suspense, keeping the reader engaged and eager to find out what happens next.

Here's a dialogue example that demonstrates the effective use of silence:

In this example, the silence adds weight to the conversation and increases the tension between the characters. It also gives the reader a chance to imagine what might be going on in the characters' minds during the pause.

3. Create Distinct Voices

One of the keys to crafting engaging dialogue is giving each of your characters a distinct voice. This helps your reader differentiate between characters and makes your story more enjoyable to read. Follow these tips to create unique voices for your characters:

Consider their background: A character's background and experiences will influence the way they speak. Think about where they grew up, their education level, and their cultural influences when crafting their speech patterns.
Use word choice and sentence structure: Different characters will have different vocabularies and ways of expressing themselves. Some might use short, terse sentences, while others might prefer long, flowery descriptions. Vary your dialogue accordingly.
Give each character a quirk or catchphrase: While you don't want to rely too heavily on clichés, giving a character a unique verbal tic or catchphrase can help to set them apart from the rest.

Take a look at this dialogue example featuring distinct character voices:

In this dialogue example, the characters' word choices and sentence structures help to differentiate their voices. Victoria's formal speech and use of words like "fathom" and "partake" suggest a higher level of education or a more refined upbringing, while Danny's casual, informal speech gives him a more down-to-earth feel. By creating distinct voices for your characters, you can make your dialogue more engaging and bring your story to life.

4. Use Subtext

Subtext is the underlying meaning or message beneath the surface of your dialogue. It can add depth to your characters and create tension in your story. When using subtext, characters may say one thing but mean another, or their words may carry an emotional weight that goes beyond the literal meaning. Here are some tips for using subtext effectively in your dialogue:

Show emotions through actions: Instead of having your characters say exactly how they feel, use their actions to hint at their emotions. This can make your dialogue feel more realistic and engaging.
Use context to your advantage: The context of a scene can help to create subtext. For example, if two characters are having a seemingly casual conversation, the reader may pick up on underlying tension if they know these characters have a history of conflict.
Contrast words and actions: Create subtext by having your characters say one thing while their actions suggest something else. This can create intrigue and keep your reader guessing.

Here's a dialogue example that uses subtext:

In this example, the dialogue is about the weather, but the characters' actions and the tension between them suggest that there's more to the conversation than meets the eye. By using subtext in your dialogue, you can create layers of meaning and keep your readers engaged.

5. Avoid Info-Dumping

Info-dumping is when a writer provides too much information or backstory all at once, often through dialogue. This can slow down the pace of your story and make the dialogue feel unnatural. Here are some tips to help you avoid info-dumping in your dialogue:

Reveal information gradually: Instead of giving readers all the information at once, reveal it piece by piece throughout the story. This can create suspense and keep your readers engaged.
Use action and description: Show, don't tell. Instead of having characters explain everything through dialogue, use action, description, and other narrative techniques to convey the information.
Make dialogue purposeful: Ensure that your dialogue serves a purpose in the story, whether it's to reveal character, advance the plot, or create tension. If a piece of dialogue doesn't serve a purpose, consider cutting or revising it.

Here's a dialogue example that avoids info-dumping:

In this example, the dialogue reveals information about Sarah's past gradually and through a natural conversation, instead of dumping a bunch of facts all at once. By avoiding info-dumping, you can make your dialogue more engaging and keep your readers interested in your story.

6. Write Natural Dialogue

Writing natural dialogue can make your characters feel more believable and relatable to your readers. To achieve this, pay attention to how people talk in real life and incorporate those patterns into your writing. Here are some tips for writing natural dialogue:

Use contractions: People often use contractions in everyday speech, such as "I'm" instead of "I am" or "can't" instead of "cannot." Including contractions in your dialogue can make it feel more authentic.
Use informal language: While it's important to maintain a level of professionalism in your writing, using informal language in dialogue can make it feel more genuine and relatable. Avoid overly formal vocabulary and opt for simpler words and phrases.
Vary sentence structure: In real-life conversations, people don't always speak in perfect, grammatically correct sentences. Varying sentence structure can help create a more natural flow in your dialogue.
Include interruptions and overlaps: In real conversations, people sometimes interrupt or talk over each other. Including these elements in your dialogue can make it feel more true-to-life.

Here's a dialogue example that demonstrates natural dialogue:

This example uses contractions, informal language, and varied sentence structure to create dialogue that feels natural and authentic. By incorporating these elements into your writing, you can create engaging and believable dialogue that resonates with your readers.

7. Balance Dialogue and Narration

Striking the right balance between dialogue and narration is essential for creating a well-rounded story. While dialogue helps to bring your characters to life, too much dialogue can make your story feel like a screenplay. On the other hand, too much narration can slow down the pace and make your story difficult to engage with. Here are some tips for balancing dialogue and narration:

Show character emotions through actions: Instead of relying solely on dialogue to convey emotions, use your characters' actions to show what they're feeling. This can help to break up long stretches of dialogue and make your story more dynamic.
Use narration to set the scene: While dialogue is crucial for character development, it's important to use narration to establish the setting and context of your story. This helps to ground your characters and their conversations in a specific time and place.
Choose the right moments for dialogue: Not every part of your story will require dialogue. Use dialogue when it's necessary for driving the plot forward, revealing character traits, or adding tension to a scene.
Keep dialogue relevant: Make sure that your dialogue contributes to the overall story and helps to move the plot forward. Avoid including conversations that don't serve a purpose or distract from the main storyline.

Here's an example that demonstrates a balance between dialogue and narration:

In this example, the narration helps to set the scene and provide context for the characters' dialogue. By balancing dialogue and narration, you can create a more engaging and well-rounded story that keeps your readers invested.

8. Use Dialogue Tags Sparingly

Dialogue tags, like "he said" or "she asked", serve to identify the speaker in a conversation. While they are necessary for clarity, using too many tags can clutter your writing and become repetitive. Instead, try to use dialogue tags sparingly and consider the following tips to make your dialogue more engaging:

Use action beats: Replace some dialogue tags with action beats—descriptions of a character's actions or expressions—to help convey the emotions behind their words. This not only helps to identify the speaker but also adds depth to your characters.
Vary your tags: When dialogue tags are necessary, try to use a variety of them to keep your writing fresh and interesting. However, avoid using overly complex or uncommon tags that might confuse your readers.
Let the dialogue speak for itself: If your dialogue is strong and distinct, it can often indicate who is speaking without the need for tags. Focus on creating unique voices for your characters so that their dialogue is easily identifiable.
Establish a rhythm: By alternating between dialogue, action beats, and dialogue tags, you can create a natural rhythm that keeps your readers engaged.

Take a look at this dialogue example that uses tags sparingly:

In this example, action beats help to break up the dialogue and convey the characters' emotions, making the conversation feel more natural and engaging. Remember to use dialogue tags sparingly to enhance the flow of your writing and keep your readers immersed in the story.

9. Add Conflict

Conflict is the driving force behind any story, and incorporating it into your dialogue can add depth and tension to your writing. Conflict can take many forms, from internal struggles to external disagreements, and can even be subtle or implied. Here are some tips for adding conflict to your dialogue:

Differing goals: Characters with opposing objectives will naturally create conflict in their conversations. Use dialogue to reveal these differences and create tension between your characters.
Misunderstandings: Miscommunications can be a source of conflict in dialogue. Show your characters talking past each other or misinterpreting each other's words to create friction and add interest to the conversation.
Subtext: Conflict doesn't always have to be explicit. Use subtext to imply tension or disagreement beneath the surface of your characters' words, making their conversations more nuanced and intriguing.
Emotional stakes: Conflict is most engaging when the characters are emotionally invested in the outcome. Use dialogue to reveal the emotions behind the conflict and make your readers care about the characters' struggles.

Consider this dialogue example that adds conflict:

In this example, the conflict between Sarah and John is clear and emotionally charged. By adding conflict to your dialogue, you can create engaging conversations that propel your story forward and keep your readers invested in your characters' journeys.

10. Revise for Clarity

Once you've written your dialogue, it's important to revise and edit it for clarity. Ensuring that the dialogue is easy to follow and understand will make your writing more enjoyable and accessible to readers. Here are some steps to help you revise your dialogue for clarity:

Read aloud: Reading your dialogue out loud can help you identify any awkward phrasings, unclear meanings, or unnatural-sounding speech. Make adjustments as necessary to improve the flow and clarity of the conversation.
Eliminate distractions: Remove any unnecessary dialogue tags, adverbs, or actions that don't contribute to the conversation or characterization. This will help keep the reader focused on the dialogue itself.
Check for consistency: Ensure that your characters' voices and speech patterns remain consistent throughout the dialogue. This will help readers easily follow who is speaking and maintain a clear understanding of each character's personality.
Trim the fat: Remove any redundant or repetitive information in the dialogue. Keep the conversation focused and concise, ensuring that each line of dialogue serves a purpose in moving the story forward or revealing character.

Let's look at a dialogue example before and after revising for clarity:

After revising:

In the revised dialogue example, the conversation is clearer and more focused, making it easier for readers to follow and understand. By revising your dialogue for clarity, you can enhance the overall quality and impact of your writing.

If you're passionate about storytelling and looking to improve your scriptwriting skills, don't miss the workshop 'Scriptwriting' by Jessy Moussallem. This workshop will provide you with valuable techniques, tips, and insights to help you craft compelling stories and bring your ideas to life through the art of scriptwriting.