Adding dialogue into an essay makes it come alive. You can make your characters talk to each other and reveal intimate and essential details by putting them in a dialogical form. The only thing is that it can be a bit complicated; so, when trying to write, pay attention to grammar and wording simultaneously. If you’re ready to take your writing up a notch and make it something your professors will rave about, then listen up. If you’re thinking, “why not let characters write my research paper?” we’ve got 10 smart ideas to add dialogue and reel your readers in.
1. Talk It Out
Since you’re writing dialogue, why not start by talking it out? A dialogue between two people can be formed with questions, answers, statements, exclamations, or a combination of them. So, put yourself in your character’s shoes and get to talking. Even if you think you look crazy, do it. You can always make it a fun activity between yourself and friends or family, having them take on a role and acting it out so that you can create a successful dialogue.
2. Cut the Small Talk
One of the top tips to improve your writing is to read EssayPro review and get to the point. Instead of adding in many jibber-jabber and small talk, it’s best to cut the small talk and only hit on main ideas. If your characters are in a deep conversation, save all small details for your creative touch and only add the important ones that go along with your story.
3. Keep It Short
Remember, you’re not writing a monologue; you’re writing dialogue. This means both characters have the floor. Just like if you’re in a conversation with friends, everyone wants their time to speak and add in their two cents. Make it a back-and-forth conversation to captivate readers and leave them wanting more.
4. Find Your Character’s Voice
A defining characteristic of your characters is their voice. You want your readers to be able to guess what they’ll say. If you have a funny character, you want them to keep that personality throughout your entire story. Define their personality and make sure that their tone of voice in your dialogue matches.
5. Use Regular Language
You want your readers to think that your characters are ordinary people. The more readers identify with characters while reading, the more invested they are in reading the book. Plus, you’ll enjoy your assignment more, able to give your characters personalities. You can use everyday language, even adding in some slang between friends.
6. Consistency Is Key
Once you establish the personality of a character, stick to it. For example, if you have someone that is constantly saying, “oh my god!” then don’t change their habit halfway through your essay. Consistency is key, and character development helps your readers connect with your writing, enjoying it much more.
7. Always Remember “Who”
Don’t write in circles and leave your readers guessing who you’re talking about. It could help to drop the characters’ names a few times, reminding your readers which characters are talking. Most of the time, when the speaker in your dialogue changes, you should start a new paragraph and open their direct speech with quotation marks. Then, your readers have more than a few ways to identify who is speaking.
8. Avoid Lengthy Paragraphs
Sometimes, it can be challenging to remember that someone is speaking if the paragraph goes on too long. For example, your readers might have to backtrack and make sure that they didn’t miss a quotation mark. Therefore, to keep everything clear, it’s best to keep your paragraphs short and simple. Plus, keep your dialogue to a minimum for each character. Readers like to see a conversation and are likely to get hooked when characters are chiming in.
9. Don’t Waste Space on Greetings
You don’t have to have your character greet each other all the time. Readers don’t need to know every minor detail and word exchanged between your characters. They are probably imagining your characters crossing paths anyway and have their version of the first encounter. If the greeting or the salutation is not so crucial to the story, then leave it out. However, if it is a fundamental piece of your essay, by all means, leave it in.
10. Showcase your Character
Many pro writers use dialogue as a way to develop their characters. Readers can assume a lot by observing how they talk and the point of view on specific issues. Plus, if there is an issue between two characters, readers can watch how the issue is solved or how each character grows based on how they discuss the issue. Often, in college writing, a dialogue is useful; in fact, it can be a lot of fun to write it. Put the spotlight on your character and make them shine.
Make Your Character Bold
If you’re writing an essay for a class, adding dialogue between characters will make it enjoyable and readable. Readers often get lost in dialogue as they start to imagine the conversation taking place between your two characters. So, give your readers more of what they want and create bold characters. The more readers can identify with characters, the more they will read your writing, immersing themselves in the story. Remember, a dialogue is not hard to write in but takes a bit of thinking before you do. To improve your dialogue, you can:
- Talk it out
- Keep it short
- Stay consistent
- Have some fun
Once you write your first essay with dialogue, you’ll want to do it again and again, enjoying the imaginative way that characters interact with one another. Turn it into a fun activity between a few friends or put on a one-act play that you practice with yourself. Either way, you’ll have superstar dialogue that will make your story stand out among the rest.