Homework, 15th October, 2015

Now that you know the basics of writing dialogue, the next stage is to work on making that dialogue more interesting. Complete the activities below (you should also have a paper copy in your homework folder) to help you with this. 

How to make dialogue more interesting

You now know how to write dialogue, but can you write it well? This worksheet will help you learn how to make boring dialogue more interesting.

1. The easiest way to do this is to try and use alternatives to the word ‘said’.

EXAMPLE:

        ‘How much further is it to the palace?’ said Mario.

        ‘Not far,’ said Luigi.

This is fine, but it’s not great. This would be more interesting:

        ‘How much further is it to the palace?’ asked Mario.

        ‘Not far,’ replied Luigi.

YOUR TURN:

Have a go at making these bits of dialogue more interesting by using alternatives the word ‘said’. You will find some suggestions in the box underneath the dialogue.

        ‘How did we get into this situation?’ Mario said across the ravine.

        ‘How dare you speak to me like that?!’ the princess said.

        ‘Aaaaargh!’ said Luigi.

        ‘What’s going on here?’ said Bowser.

        ‘Erm … we were just, you know, hanging out,’ Mario said.

yelled           snapped             screamed               shouted asked                 enquired                    explained           replied

2. You can also vary where you put the name of the character who is speaking.

EXAMPLE:

        ‘Now where did I leave my wrench?’ said Mario.

This can become:

        ‘Now where did I leave my wrench?’ Mario said.

YOUR TURN:

Have a go at making these bits of dialogue more interesting by changing where the name of the character goes.

        ‘Why are these mushrooms so big?’ asked Luigi.

        ‘I have to be honest,’ said the princess, ‘but I was kind of expecting a handsome prince.’

        ‘Oh,’ replied Mario, ‘I’m sorry. Maybe we should go, then.’

        ‘What on earth is the meaning of this outrage?!’ Bowser bellowed.

        ‘Keep your voice down,’ whispered Luigi. 

Another way you can make dialogue more interesting is by using adverbs to describe how people are talking.

EXAMPLE:

     ‘I … I’m sorry,’ Mario said timidly.

YOUR TURN:

Have a go at adding adverbs to make the dialogue more interesting. You will find some suggestions in the box underneath the dialogue.

        ‘Dammit,’ exclaimed Luigi ______________. ‘I left my plunger back in Milan!’

        ‘I think we’ve finally found the castle!’ Mario said _____________.

        ‘I think it’s in there,’ Luigi whispered _______________, ‘but it looks kind of scary.’

        ‘I’m so embarrassed,’ the princess said ______________.