🎉 Common Grammar Missteps in Dialogue Writing: Dos and Don'ts 🎉

Writing a dialogue is a crucial aspect of creative writing, but one that can be quite challenging. While it is important to work on character development and plot, ensuring your dialogue is grammatically correct is just as essential to create a compelling story. This blog post discusses common grammar missteps when writing dialogue and provides dos and don’ts to help you navigate those pesky errors.

✅ DO use proper punctuation

Punctuation can make or break a sentence, especially in dialogue. It gives the reader an idea of how to read the sentence and what tone to expect from the characters. One common mistake is overusing exclamation marks. While they can convey the excitement or intensity of the dialogue, too many can make it seem forced and reduce the impact. Using proper punctuation also allows for smoother reading and comprehension, making it easier to keep the reader engaged.

❌ DON’T use excessive adverbs

Adverbs can weaken the dialogue because they tend to describe how something is said rather than what is being said. ‘She said angrily’ is an example of an adverb that adds little value to the sentence. Instead, the sentence would be stronger if the dialogue expressed anger itself without the use of an adverb. It is essential to convey the character’s emotions, but overreliance on adverbs can detract from the impact of the dialogue.

✅ DO use contractions to sound natural

When writing a dialogue, it’s important to keep it sounding as natural as possible. People generally speak in contractions, and avoiding them can make the dialogue sound stilted. It’s essential to be mindful of the character’s voice to ensure the dialogue feels authentic. A character’s background, age, and education level should be considered when writing their dialogue to make it sound more convincing.

❌ DON’T use overly formal language

While it is necessary to avoid contractions when writing formal dialogue, it’s less important when writing casual or conversational dialogue. Avoiding contractions in dialogue can lead to unnatural-sounding language and pull the reader out of the story. The exception is when writing dialogue for characters that speak formally in their day-to-day life. It’s important to strike a balance between natural-sounding dialogue and dialogue that fits the character’s personality and background.

✅ DO use dialogue tags effectively

Dialogue tags are a handy tool to indicate who is speaking, how they are speaking, and to convey tone. There are various methods to convey dialogue tags, such as using said, shouted, whispered, or exclaimed. It’s essential to use dialogue tags correctly to avoid distracting the reader from the story. Too few dialogue tags can lead to confusion, while too many can be distracting. As with all writing guidelines, balance is key.

❌ DON’T use incorrect word choice

Using the wrong word can change the meaning of the sentence entirely. It’s important to use word choice that conveys exactly what the character means. For example, using “peruse” instead of “read” can change the tone of the sentence and make the sentence sound odd. It’s important to understand the meaning of the words you use to avoid incorrect word choice.

🏁 In conclusion

Writing dialogue that is grammatically correct can be a challenge, but it is crucial to create a compelling story. Proper punctuation, natural-sounding language, effective dialogue tags, and appropriate word choice can make all the difference in creating convincing dialogue. Remember to consider each character’s background, personality, and education level to ensure their dialogue feels authentic. Keep these dos and don’ts in mind as you continue to hone your writing skills.