8 Simple Rules
for Writing
Dialogue
Rule 1

Use commas or periods between the dialogue
and tag line (the words used to identify the
speaker: "he said/she said") depending on where
they are in the sentence.

Example:

“I’m going to work out at the gym,” she told Brian.

She told Brian, “I’m going to work out at the gym.”

“I’m going to work out at the gym,” she told Brian,
“and you’re welcome to come along.”
Rule 2
 Punctuation
goes inside the quotation
marks unless it directly pertains to the
material within the quotes.
 Example:
 Did he say, "We should all go to the movies"?

“Should we all go to the movies?” she asked.
Rule 3
 To
signal a quotation within a quotation,
use single quotes.
 Example:

"Have you read 'Hills Like White Elephants'
yet?" he asked her.
 Single
quotations can also be used in
dialogue to indicate sarcasm.
Rule 4
 Paragraphs
are very important to the flow
and comprehension of the dialogue.
Remember to start a new paragraph
each time the speaker changes within the
dialogue (even if the character is only
committing an action). This helps the
reader know when someone new is
speaking (and who it is).
Rule 5

Ellipses are an important tool when writing
dialogue. They can indicate omitted speech,
a nervous pause, or hesitation.

Examples:

"Hello, I’ve been on hold for 20 minutes! . . . Why
should I continue to hold? . . . Yes, I know that
you are busy! . . ." After the end punctuation
mark, add a space and then the ellipses.

"I just can’t eat . . . my stomach hurts,“ Alice
insisted.
Rule 6
 If
a quotation spills out over more than
one paragraph, don't use end quotes at
the close of the first paragraph. Use them
only when a character is done speaking.
Rule 7

Do NOT use quotation marks when writing a
character’s thoughts. Direct thoughts or things
that the character “says” in their heads
should be written in italics.

Example:

"Hi Tony.“

Tony looked down at his shoe, dug in his toe,
and pushed around a pile of dust. "Hey," he
replied.

Katy braced herself. Something was wrong.
Rule 8
 Italics
can be used within dialogue to
create emphasis.
 When
indicating what a sign, billboard,
letter, or flyer says, use Italics.
 EXCEPTION:
If a character is “reading
aloud” what a sign, billboard, letter, or
flyers says, use quotation marks.