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Dialogue Writing Techniques

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Naturalism

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Naturalism in dialogue refers to a style that mimics the way people speak in real life. Tips for writing naturalistic dialogue include listening to how people talk, using contractions, and allowing characters to interrupt each other.

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Economy

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Economy in dialogue refers to using the fewest words necessary to convey a message. To practice economy, cut unnecessary words and phrases, focus on what's essential for the story and character development, and rewrite for brevity without losing clarity or intent.

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Humor

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Humor in dialogue can relieve tension and endear characters to the audience. To incorporate humor, use wordplay, comedic timing, and character quirks, and ensure it arises naturally from characters' situations or flaws rather than forced jokes.

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Pacing

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Pacing in dialogue affects how quickly the scene moves. To control pacing, use shorter sentences and phrases to increase tension or speed up the scene, vary the length of speeches for rhythm, and let silence or pauses slow down the scene for dramatic effect.

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Exposition

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Exposition in dialogue provides necessary background information to the audience. When writing exposition, weave information into conversations naturally, avoid 'info-dumping,' and let characters' personal stakes reveal story details.

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Foreshadowing

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Foreshadowing in dialogue hints at events that will occur later in the story. To foreshadow effectively, insert subtle clues into the dialogue, keep it ambiguous to maintain suspense, and spread hints throughout the conversation to avoid being too obvious.

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Slang and Jargon

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Using slang and jargon can add authenticity to character voices and setting. To utilize them effectively, make sure they fit the character's background and the play's setting, use them sparingly to avoid confusing the audience, and be mindful of their historical and cultural context.

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Character Voice

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Character voice is how a character’s personality is expressed through dialogue. To create distinct character voices, consider character background, education level, and personality in their word choice, syntax, and speaking patterns.

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Subtext

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Subtext is the underlying meaning behind the words that characters speak. To write dialogue with subtext, show what characters mean through their actions and non-verbal cues rather than just their words, use what is left unsaid to convey deeper meaning, and create tension between characters' words and their desires.

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Conflict

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Conflict in dialogue drives the story forward and keeps the audience engaged. To write conflict-driven dialogue, give characters opposing goals or views, raise the stakes to create tension, and show the consequences of the conflict within the interaction.

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