Chapter-6
DIALOGUE WRITING
Objectives:
To communicate effectively and appropriately in real-life situation.
To provide proficiency to enhance English communicative skills.
To improve English language fluency through practice exercises.
To write impactful dialogue with precise structure and pattern.
To learn apt, appropriate usage of situational language writing skills.
Meaning and definition:
The word ‘dialogue’ originated from the Greek word ‘dialogos’ means
‘conversation’. The term “two” (di-) “speak” (log) in this sense, two people are
speaking to create dialogue.
Dialogue is a written or spoken / conversational exchange between two or more
people, a literary and theatrical form which depicts an exchange of ideas,
thoughts, feelings, emotions, information and opinions or a discussion. Dialogues
are an effective communication tool both in formal and informal situations as
well.
Dialogue writing is a very important form of composition to enhance language
skills. It provides a model on which students can base their own dialogues to focus
on constructive language learning and usage. In addition, dialogue writing helps
to develop conversational skills and holds considerable promise in encouraging
creativity by laying emphasis on precise expressions, analytical language writing
skills. Thus, dialogue writing becomes a central element of any individual
transformation.
Read the following conversations in different situations for better understanding
of dialogue writing:
Dialogue between a passenger and train ticket booking clerk.
Clerk : Good morning! How may I help you?
Passenger : Good morning, I want to reserve two tickets to Delhi.
Clerk : Have you filled reservation form?
Passenger : Here it is!
Clerk : But there is no seat available on 6 April.
Passenger : Are there any seats available in other trains on that day?
Clerk : Yes there are two seats available in Jan Shatabdi express.
Passenger : What is the time of departure?
Clerk : It is at 7:30 am.
Passenger : Please book those two seats.
Clerk : Yes sure, here they are
Passenger : Thank you.
Dialogue between a shopkeeper and a customer at sweet stall.
Customer : What is the rate of Kaju burfi?
Shopkeeper : Rs.600/- per kg, sir
Customer : Pack half a kg for me.
Shopkeeper : Give a minute sir, here it is
Customer : But you have weighed less than half a kg.
Shopkeeper : Don’t worry sir, you’ll have less weight to carry.
Customer : Oh! Thank you for a good piece of advice.
Shopkeeper : Well, I am here to do good for my customers, sir
Customer : Here’s your money.
Shopkeeper : But, it’s less, sir
Customer : Don’t worry, you’ll have to count less money.
Shopkeeper : But, that’s not fair.
Customer : I’m simply following your advice, Sir.
Telephone conversation between receptionist and HR manager.
Roma : Hello! Is it Paradise Regency resorts, Devanahalli?
Receptionist : Yes, please. What can I do for you?
Roma : Roma, HR Manager from Excellent Softech Ltd, Bengaluru. We
have planned to organize a two-day conference at Devanahalli.
Receptionist : It’s great! How can I help you?
Roma : Do you have any Conference Hall?
Receptionist : Of course, we have Ma’m.
Roma : Could you please Email or Fax me your tariff ASAP so that we
can discuss and finalise the booking.
Receptionist : Oh! Sure Ma’m, please tell me your Email or WhatsApp no.
Roma : Yeah, it is
[email protected] and my WhatsApp no is
9988776655.
Receptionist : Ok, madam I’ll do ASAP. It would be a pleasure to serve your
company.
Roma : That’s ok, Thank you.
Dialogue between friends:
Veena : Why are you rubbing your eyes?
Reena : I feel acute irritation in them.
Veena : What is the reason?
Reena : It is due to air pollution.
Veena : Oh yes, the air is full of fumes.
Reena : These fumes have poisonous gases.
Veena : Today, I forgot my sunglasses too.
Reena : How would sunglasses help?
Veena : They shield eyes from harmful gases.
Reena : Oh! Is it, then I must wear mine from tomorrow?
Veena : Yes, you must. Ok than, catch you later, bye.
Mr. Mohan wanted to buy a car. So he went to a nearby car showroom.
Conversation between Mr. Mohan and sales representative.
Sales rep : Good morning, Welcome Sir, please have a seat.
Mr. Mohan : Thank you very much. I am interested in buying a family
car.
Sales rep : very well, sir but first of all please let me know your
budget.
Mr. Mohan : Well, my budget is 7 to 10 lakhs.
Sales rep : please let us know how many are there in your
family?
Mr. Mohan : We are four, my wife and two daughters and I.
Sales rep : (showing brochure) Sir, we recommend you our best seller
model ‘Glitz’.
Mr. Mohan : Why do you suggest me this car?
Sales rep : It has most advanced engine that gives good mileage and all the
features like power steering, power windows, airbags and
comfortable design and space.
Mr. Mohan: That’s fine. Please give me this brochure and I will discuss with my
family and visit tomorrow again.
Sales rep : Very well sir, you are welcome. Have a good day.
Mr. Mohan : Thank you, See you tomorrow. Have a good day.
Guidelines to write dialogues:
Have a purpose for every single dialogue, a logical one.
Use simple, polite, easy to understand language.
Be brief and impactful.
Keep it as real and closer to the characters as possible.
Use narration in between dialogues to abstain from stray dialogue-writing.
Use punctuation whenever necessary, as they portray the dialogue and its emotions.
Some useful phrases to begin / end conversation / dialogue:
Hello / Hi!
Take care / see you soon
Good morning / afternoon /
Enjoy your day!
evening
Good luck!
How are you / How are you doing?
Talk to you soon!
Fine / Fine, thanks / Okay
Great seeing you
What’s new? / What’s up!
Great talking to you!
Nice to meet you!
Catch you later!
Pleased to meet you!
See you later / tomorrow
It’s a pleasure meeting you
Bye! Have a good day!
Hi, my name is .
Catch you later! Bye-bye!
Hi, what’s your name?
I have to get going. / It’s time for
Bye / Good bye
me to go. etc.
Good night
Practicing dialogue writing is a great way for English language learning students
to test their language skills and develop a better understanding of the language.
Students should be encouraged to think on their own and form their ideas using their
experience, knowledge and imagination to develop conversations skills, than being
text or teacher dependent.
1. Complete the following dialogue between two friends in a suitable way.
Priyanka : Hi! You seem to be getting ready.
Hemanth : Yes, actually, I am going for an interview.
Priyanka : !
Hemanth : Well, it begins in half an hour.
Priyanka :
Hemanth : Oh! Come on, who sticks to the watch?
Priyanka :
Hemanth : Yes, I have called them up and taken an appointment.
Priyanka :
Hemanth : Thank you so much
2. Saritha is being interviewed for the job of a lecturer in a college. Complete the
dialogue by filling the blanks.
Saritha : Good morning Sir,
Interviewer : Very good morning, .
Saritha : Thank you sir.
Interviewer : Why do you think you ?
Saritha : Well, I am qualified for the job and I have passion for teaching.
Interviewer : Can any other languages?
Saritha : Hindi and Kannada as well.
Interviewer : What in your Graduation?
Saritha : Sir, I have a Post Graduate Degree in Mathematics.
Interviewer : Do you experience?
Saritha : Yes, I have 5 years of teaching experience in a college.
Interviewer : Well, then we may consider you for the Job. !
Saritha : Thank you Sir,
3. Complete the following dialogue between two friends about book fair.
Shankar : Hi, how are you?
Shakeel :
Shankar : Did you visit the book fair in Palace ground
Shakeel : Yes,
Shankar : Did you buy any books there?
Shakeel : Yes,
Shankar : Well, what sort of science books you
bought?
Shakeel : Stories about space and unidentified flying objects.
Shankar :
Shakeel : Yes, books of all subjects available there.
Shankar : Do you have any idea
Shakeel : I guess it will go on till 30th of this month.
Shankar : .
4. Develop a dialogue between father and son about son’s career after
his graduation.
Father :
Son :
Father :
Son : _
Father :
Son : _
Father :
Son :
Father :
Son :
Father :
Son :
5. Develop a dialogue between Rajat who calls up Rajeev to make a
plan for New Year celebration.
Rajat :
Rajeev :
Rajat :
Rajeev :
Rajat :
Rajeev :
Rajat :
Rajeev :
Rajat :
Rajeev :
Rajat :
Rajeev :
103
Comprehension / Exercises:
Read the following situations carefully and develop a conversation accordingly.
1. Mr. Rohan, Geetha’s father plans to take his family for a weekend picnic.
Geetha is very excited about it. Develop a conversation between father
and daughter.
2. Rajesh’s mother suddenly fell ill and he had to look after her so, could not
attend classes for a week. Develop a dialogue between Rajesh and his
teacher.
3. Develop a dialogue between newly admitted Student and Librarian about
borrowing a book.
4. Develop a conversation between two passers-by on witnessing a traffic jam.
5. Develop a conversation between a customer and a mobile shop keeper
about anew mobile phone purchase.
Points to remember:
a. Understand the topic / situation well before writing the dialogue.
b. Read and understand the preceding dialogues for coherence.
c. The grammatical errors to be identified / discussed and explained.
d. The dialogues should sound like a natural conversation.
e. The words / phrases should be clear using simple language and
convey the message logically.
f. Dialogue writing should be less complex in structure because people
generally don’t talk in sentences that are full of multiple clauses.
Sources:
- Beare, Kenneth. "Dialogue Activities for ESL Students."
- http://www.englishfor2day.com
104
