Construct a dialogue.

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See Chapter 2, pp. 51–52, for an example of dialogue used for invention.

A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people. You can use dialoguing to search for topics, find a focus, explore ideas, or consider opposing viewpoints. When you write a dialogue as an invention strategy, you need to make up all parts of the conversation (unless, of course, you are writing collaboratively). To construct a dialogue independently or collaboratively, follow these steps:

  1. Write a conversation between two speakers. Label the participants Speaker A and Speaker B, or make up names for them.
  2. If you get stuck, you might have one of the speakers ask the other a question.
  3. Write brief responses to keep the conversation moving fast. Do not spend much time planning or rehearsing responses. Write what first occurs to you, just as in a real conversation, in which people take quick turns to prevent any awkward silences.

Dialogues can be especially useful in writing based on personal experience and persuasive essays because they help you remember conversations and anticipate objections.