Use dialogue to tell your story.

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For more on transitions of time, see also p. 557 in Chapter 13 and pp. 563–64 in Chapter 14.

Although writers may not remember exactly what was said, they often reconstruct dialogue through quotation, paraphrase, or summary. Quotation emphasizes a conversation, while paraphrase or summary enables you to move past less important conversations quickly.

When you quote, enclose the words, phrases, or sentences within quotation marks. Each time a new speaker is quoted, start a new paragraph:

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Excuse me. Are you a relative of this young girl?”

Yes, I’m her sister. What’s the problem?”

Well, I just caught her shoplifting and I’m afraid I’ll have to call the police.” (Brandt, pars. 10–12)

In the example above, Brandt is careful to let readers know who is speaking by having the security guard ask Jean’s sister if she’s a relative, and by having her sister identify herself as such. In addition, writers can indicate who is speaking in the paragraphs that precede the dialogue:

There was a pause as he called my mother to the phone. For the first time that night, I was close to tears. I wished I had never stolen that stupid pin. I wanted to give the phone to one of the officers because I was too ashamed to tell my mother the truth, but I had no choice.

Jean, where are you?”

I’m, umm, in jail.” (Brandt, pars. 26–28)

You can also use speaker tags to identify the speaker:

To learn more about using speaker tags, see pp. 12, 25, and 35–36 in this chapter and pp. 95–96 in Chapter 3.

“You stupid kids,” he began perfunctorily. (Dillard, par. 18)

(“Did we really do that?” I asked Thea this week. . . . “Yes,” she said. “We put them in a lovely tin.”) (Desmond-Harris, par. 4)

Use paraphrase to repeat the substance of what was said in your own words:

To learn more about quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, see Chapter 26.

Next thing I knew, he was talking about calling the police and having me arrested and thrown in jail. (Brandt, par. 7)

The guide reprimanded us for endangering our lives and delaying the others.(Ruprecht, par. 10)

Use summary to convey the gist of the discussion without the details of what was said:

I implored Ernie to turn back. He reluctantly agreed. (Ruprecht, par. 8)

Security guard

Brandt’s sister

Security guard

References to mother prepare us for mother’s line

Reference to Jean prepares us for Jean’s reply

I’m tells us it is Jean’s turn again