Writing Dialogue
Master the rules of punctuating speech, discover alternatives to "said," and learn how dialogue reveals character.
Dialogue Punctuation Rules
When characters speak in a story, their words must be punctuated correctly. In Australian English, we use inverted commas (also called speech marks or quotation marks) around the spoken words.
Speech marks around spoken words
"I love rainy days," said Mia.
Punctuation goes inside the speech marks
"Watch out!" he shouted. "Are you coming?" she asked.
Use a comma before the reporting clause
"I'm tired," she whispered. (Not a full stop, because "she whispered" finishes the sentence.)
New line for each new speaker
This makes it clear who is talking.
Capital letter to start the spoken words
He asked, "Where are you going?"
Alternatives to "Said"
While "said" is perfectly fine to use, varying your speech verbs (also called reporting verbs) can show how a character is feeling and make your writing more interesting.
Anger / Frustration
shouted, yelled, snapped, demanded, barked, growled
Happiness / Excitement
exclaimed, cheered, laughed, giggled, beamed, squealed
Sadness / Worry
whispered, sobbed, sighed, murmured, whimpered, pleaded
Curiosity / Surprise
wondered, asked, gasped, stammered, questioned, marvelled
Top Tip
Do not overdo it! "Said" is invisible to readers and keeps writing smooth. Only use alternatives when you want to add emotion or emphasis. Avoid silly verbs like "ejaculated" or "verbalised."
Showing Character Through Dialogue
Great dialogue does not just tell the reader what is happening. It reveals character by showing personality, mood, and relationships through the way characters speak.
"Give me the ball," said Tom.
We know nothing about Tom's personality.
"Oi, pass it here!" Tom demanded, shoving his way to the front. "I'm the best kicker and you know it."
We can tell Tom is bossy and confident.
Add Actions Between Dialogue
Including body language and actions between speech makes your dialogue more vivid:
"I didn't take it," whispered Sam, his eyes darting to the floor. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets.
Key Vocabulary
Dialogue
The spoken words of characters in a story, written inside inverted commas.
Inverted commas
Punctuation marks (" ") placed around spoken words. Also called speech marks or quotation marks.
Reporting clause
The part that tells us who is speaking and how (e.g., "said Tom," "she whispered").
Speech verb
The verb that describes how something was said (e.g., shouted, whispered, replied).
Worked Examples
Example 1: Correct Punctuation
Incorrect: "I can't believe it." She said.
Correct: "I can't believe it," she said.
Use a comma (not a full stop) before the reporting clause, and keep "she" lowercase because it is part of the same sentence.
Example 2: New Line for New Speaker
"Are we nearly there?" asked Lily, pressing her face against the car window.
"Five more minutes," replied Dad, glancing in the rear-view mirror.
"You said that twenty minutes ago!" Lily groaned.
Each speaker starts on a new line. Actions are included to show character and emotion.
Example 3: Speech Verb Choice
Basic: "Stop!" said the teacher.
Improved: "Stop!" commanded the teacher, holding up her hand.
"Commanded" shows authority and urgency. Adding the action "holding up her hand" helps the reader picture the scene.
Knowledge Check
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Key Concepts Summary
- ●Use inverted commas around spoken words, with punctuation inside the speech marks.
- ●Use a comma before the reporting clause, and start a new line for each new speaker.
- ●Vary speech verbs to show emotion: whispered, demanded, exclaimed, muttered.
- ●Add actions and body language between speech to reveal character and bring dialogue to life.