Using Dialogue
What is dialogue?
When characters talk in narrative writing,
it is called dialogue.
Writers use quotation marks and
dialogue tags to let their readers know
when a character is speaking.
Let’s explore the rules for writing dialogue
so you can use it in your writing.
Direct & Indirect
Quotes
A direct quote tells the speaker’s exact words,
and quotation marks surround the quote.
“Why are you working so hard?”
asked the Grasshopper.
An indirect quote paraphrases the speaker’s
words, or states them in different words.
No quotation marks are used.
The Grasshopper asked the Ants
why they were working so hard.
Let’s Practice!
Hold up one finger if the sentence is a direct
quote or two fingers if it is an indirect quote.
The Ants said that they needed
to gather food for winter.
Direct or Indirect?
You’re right! It’s indirect. The speaker’s words are
paraphrased, and no quotation marks are used.
Let’s Practice!
Hold up one finger if the sentence is a direct
quote or two fingers if it is an indirect quote.
“Silly you!” laughed the Grasshopper.
Direct or Indirect?
Yes! This is a direct quote.
The speaker’s exact words are
surrounded by quotation marks.
Let’s Practice!
Hold up one finger if the sentence is a direct
quote or two fingers if it is an indirect quote.
“Can you spare a little grain for me?”
he begged.
Direct or Indirect?
Right, it’s direct. The speaker’s exact words
are surrounded by quotation marks.
Let’s Practice!
Hold up one finger if the sentence is a direct
quote or two fingers if it is an indirect quote.
The Ants asked the Grasshopper why
he didn’t store any food for winter.
Direct or Indirect?
This one is indirect. The speaker’s words are
paraphrased, and no quotation marks are used.
What Is a Dialogue Tag?
Direct quotes often use dialogue tags.
“I passed the days singing and
dancing,” the Grasshopper answered.
In this sentence, the Grasshopper answered
is the dialogue tag.
The Grasshopper tells who’s speaking,
and answered provides the action.
Let’s Practice!
Find the dialogue tags in each
of the following sentences.
“Why are you working so hard?”
asked the Grasshopper.
The Ants replied, “We must gather
food for the winter.”
“Silly you!” laughed the Grasshopper. “I’ll
be playing my fiddle and singing while
you waste this glorious summer weather.”
Placement of
Dialogue Tags
Dialogue tags can be placed at the beginning,
middle, or end of a direct quote.
Dialogue tags are set off by commas.
Let’s look at three ways to directly quote this
sentence: Now is the time to play.
The Grasshopper said this, so we’ll use
this dialogue tag: the Grasshopper said.
Dialogue Tag
at the Beginning
The Grasshopper said, “Now is the time to play.”
Notice how the dialogue tag is set off by a comma.
The Grasshopper’s exact words
are placed in quotation marks.
The quoted sentence keeps its original
capitalization and punctuation
inside the quotation marks.
Let’s Practice!
The Ants replied Gather food for winter!
Tell where the quotation marks should go.
Let’s Practice!
The Ants replied “Gather food for winter!”
The quotation marks go around the spoken sentence.
Notice that the final quotation mark goes
after the end mark.
Let’s Practice!
The Ants replied “Gather food for winter!”
Tell where the comma should go.
Let’s Practice!
The Ants replied, “Gather food for winter!”
The comma goes after the dialogue tag
but before the quotation mark.
The quoted sentence keeps its original
capitalization and punctuation.
Dialogue Tag
at the End
“Now is the time to play,” the Grasshopper said.
The Grasshopper’s exact words
are placed in quotation marks.
Only one period may be used in a sentence,
and it must come at the end.
The dialogue tag is set off by a comma,
which comes before the quotation mark
to replace the period in the quote.
Let’s Practice!
Gather food for winter! the Ants replied.
Tell where the quotation marks should go.
Let’s Practice!
“Gather food for winter!” the Ants replied.
The quotation marks go around the spoken sentence.
Notice that the final quotation mark goes
after the end mark.
Let’s Practice!
“Gather food for winter!” the Ants replied.
Tell where the comma should go.
No comma is used in this sentence.
An exclamation point or question mark
used in the quote stays in its original
position to separate the quote
and dialogue tag.
Dialogue Tag
in the Middle
“Now,” the Grasshopper said, “is the time to play.”
The Grasshopper’s exact words
are placed in quotation marks.
Commas separate the dialogue tag from the quoted
sentence; each comes before the quotation mark.
A period ends the sentence.
It also comes before the quotation mark.
The sentence keeps its original capitalization.
Let’s Practice!
Gather food the Ants replied for winter!
Tell where the quotation marks should go.
Let’s Practice!
“Gather food” the Ants replied “for winter!”
The quotation marks go around the spoken sentence.
Notice that the final quotation mark goes
after the end mark.
Let’s Practice!
“Gather food” the Ants replied “for winter!”
Tell where the commas should go.
Let’s Practice!
“Gather food,” the Ants replied, “for winter!”
The commas separate the quoted sentence
from the dialogue tag. Each comma comes
before the quotation mark.
Notice that the end mark also comes
before the quotation mark.
Let’s Review
Quotation marks surround the quoted sentence.
“Can you spare a little grain for me?” he begged.
He begged, “Can you spare a little grain for me?”
“Can you,” he begged, “spare a little grain for me?”
Let’s Review
Dialogue tags tell who’s speaking and the action.
“Can you spare a little grain for me?” he begged.
Let’s Review
Dialogue tags are generally separated
from quotes using commas.
“No, we can’t help you,” the Ants said.
The Ants said, “No, we can’t help you.”
“No,” the Ants said, “we can’t help you.”
Notice that the commas come before
the quotation marks.
Let’s Review
A sentence can only have one period.
If the dialogue tag comes at the end,
the period must be replaced by a comma.
“No, we can’t help you,” the Ants said.
An exclamation point or question mark
can remain in a quote, however.
“No, we can’t help you!” the Ants exclaimed.
Independent Practice
Rewrite each of these quotes with the dialogue tag
at the beginning, middle, and end of the sentence.
Quote: Yes, I’ll be playing my fiddle.
Dialogue Tag: the Grasshopper said
Quote: Isn’t it a beautiful day?
Dialogue Tag: the Grasshopper asked
Quote: You are so silly!
Dialogue Tag: the Grasshopper exclaimed
Answers
The Grasshopper said, “Yes, I’ll be playing my
fiddle.”
“Yes,” the Grasshopper said, “I’ll be playing my
fiddle.”
“Yes, I’ll be playing my fiddle,” the Grasshopper
said.
Answers
The Grasshopper asked, “Isn’t it a beautiful day?”
“Isn’t it,” the Grasshopper asked, “a beautiful
day?”
“Isn’t it a beautiful day?” the Grasshopper asked.
Answers
The Grasshopper exclaimed, “You are so silly!”
“You,” the Grasshopper exclaimed, “are so silly!”
“You are so silly!” exclaimed the Grasshopper.