Dialogue Skills:

1. Indent for a new speaker

• (new speaker)= (indent) • Example:

Sally said, “I wish I knew you,” when she saw Tomfor the first time.

“I agree,” Tom replied.

2. Only the exact words go inside the quotation marks.

3. The words used to identify the speaker are called a “tag line”

• Example: Mary said, Jane replied• Note: said, replied, screamed, etc. are never

capitalized in a tag line.

4. There are 3 types of Tag lines:

• A) Before the quote:– the comma always follows the tag line and the

beginning letter of the quote is always capitalized • Example: Jon asked, “Where did everyone go?”

• B) After the quote: – the ending punctuation after the actual quote

(before the tag line) can never be a period• Example: “Every one decided to go,” said Jon.

– If the sentence would normally end with a period, substitute a comma. An exception to this rule is end marks for questions or exclamations • “Where did everyone go?” asked Jon

• C) In the middle of the quote: – 1. In between two separate sentences (quotes): a

period follows the tag line and the beginning of the second sentence (quote) is capitalized • Example: “I have a dog,” said Jane. “Do you have any

pets?”

– 2. When the tag line splits one sentence (quote) into two parts: a comma follows the first part of the quote and the tag line • Example: “I have two dogs,” said Jane, “that fight all

the time.”

Practice Exercises

• 1. peggy said i have two cats do you have any pets

• 2. i have two dogs three fish and seven snails said joe

• 3. i have two cats said peggy do you have any pets

• 4. i’m not sure said sue if i know how to do this test

• 1. Peggy said, “I have two cats. Do you have any pets?”

• 2. “I have two dogs, three fish and seven snails,” said Joe.

• 3. “I have two cats,” said Peggy. “Do you have any pets?”

• 4. “I’m not sure,” said Sue, “if I know how to do this test.”

Practice Dialogue Answers:

• 1. Peggy said, “I have two cats. Do you have any pets?”

• 2. “I have two dogs, three fish and seven snails,” said Joe.

• 3. “I have two cats,” said Peggy. “Do you have any pets?”

• 4. “I’m not sure,” said Sue, “if I know how to do this test.”

Dialogue Exercise: • Work with a partner. Write your own

dialogue between two different people. • It must be at least 6 sentences long and use

the tag line at the beginning, middle, and end at least once. This activity will be worth 10 grammar convention points.

• When you come to class tomorrow, be ready to perform your dialogue using the speaking techniques we practiced last quarter: Clear speaking voice and diction. This will be worth 10 speaking points.

Written Example:

Amy asked, “Would you like to go to the movies?”

“Sure. I would like to” replied Tom.“That is great,” Amy responded.“What kind of

movie do you want to see?” “I’m not sure,” hesitated Tom, “but I’m open

to any ideas.” “How about a horror movie?” Amy suggested. Tom exclaimed, “That is a great idea!”

Spoken Example

Amy: Would you like to go to the movies?Tom: Sure. I would like toAmy: That is great. What kind of movie do you

want to see?Tom: I’m not sure, but I’m open to any ideas. Amy: How about a horror movie?Tom: That is a great idea!