Why Dialogue Matters

Dialogue is a powerful tool for revealing character traits because it’s all about how characters communicate with each other. By paying attention to how your characters speak, you can learn a lot about their personalities, motivations, fears, and goals. Consider how people in real life use language to convey meaning - the words they choose, the tone of voice, the style of speaking, and so on. All of these factors can tell you a lot about a person, and the same is true for fictional characters. When you use dialogue effectively, you can make your characters feel more human, more complex, and more engaging. 👥

A cartoon image of two people talking to each other with speech bubbles above their heads

Dos and Don’ts of Dialogue

Before we dive into some specific techniques for using dialogue to reveal character traits, let’s go over some basic rules and principles that can guide you in your writing.

✅ DO make sure your dialogue feels natural and authentic. People don’t always speak in complete sentences, so don’t be afraid to use contractions, sentence fragments, and pauses to make your dialogue feel more realistic.

❌ DON’T use dialogue as a way to infodump or explain things to the reader. Instead, use dialogue to reveal character traits and advance the plot.

âś… DO use dialogue to create tension and conflict between characters. Dialogue that is polite and agreeable all the time can become boring and predictable.

❌ DON’T use dialogue that is too on-the-nose or overt. Sometimes it’s better to leave things unsaid or let subtext do the heavy lifting.

âś… DO use dialogue as a way to show, not tell. Instead of telling the reader that a character is angry, show them through their words and actions.

❌ DON’T use dialogue to advance the plot at all costs. Sometimes it’s okay to let characters talk about mundane things if it reveals something about their personalities or relationships.

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Techniques for Revealing Character Traits

  1. Use Dialogue Tags

Dialogue tags are the phrases that come after a character speaks, like “he said” or “she exclaimed.” These tags can be more than just functional; they can also reveal something about the character’s tone of voice, emotional state, or personality. You could use tags like “he growled” or “she giggled” to show a character’s mood or demeanor.

✏️ TIP: Be careful not to overuse fancy dialogue tags, though. Stick to simple ones like “said” or “asked” most of the time, and save the more colorful ones for specific moments when they really add something to the story.

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  1. Vary the Length and Complexity of Sentences

People don’t speak in a monotone or robotic voice, so you shouldn’t write dialogue that sounds that way, either. One way to make dialogue feel more natural is to vary the length and complexity of sentences. For example, a character who is nervous or hesitant might speak in short, simple sentences, while a character who is confident and verbose might use longer, more complex sentences.

✏️ TIP: Pay attention to how different characters speak and try to match their style to their personality. For example, a shy character might speak in a quieter voice, while a boisterous character might use more slang or colorful language.

A photo of two people talking on a bench at a park, with speech bubbles above their heads

  1. Use Subtext

Subtext is the unspoken thoughts, feelings, or meanings that underlie dialogue. Sometimes what characters don’t say is more revealing than what they do say. If you want to reveal something about a character’s personality without explicitly stating it, consider using subtext. For example, a character who is secretly jealous of someone else might make backhanded compliments or snide remarks, without actually saying “I’m jealous of you.”

✏️ TIP: Use subtext sparingly and strategically. It can be a powerful tool, but if you rely on it too much, your readers may miss the point.

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  1. Create Conflict Between Characters

Conflict is essential for creating a compelling story, and one of the best ways to create conflict is through dialogue. When characters disagree or have different goals and motivations, it can lead to tension and drama. By putting your characters in situations where they have to negotiate, argue, or compete with each other, you can reveal their personalities and motivations in dynamic ways.

✏️ TIP: Don’t let conflict become too overwhelming or take over the story. Make sure there are moments of calm and reflection so that readers can catch their breath.

A black and white photograph of two people facing each other with tense expressions on their faces

  1. Use Idiosyncratic Language or Speech Patterns

Every person has unique quirks and mannerisms when they speak, and your characters should, too. One technique for revealing character traits through dialogue is to give each character his or her own idiosyncratic language or speech pattern. For example, a character who is a scientist might use a lot of technical jargon, while a character who is a surfer might use a lot of slang.

✏️ TIP: Be careful not to overdo this technique, though. If every character has a unique speech pattern, it can become distracting or confusing for the reader.

A photo of a person's mouth with the word "Speak" written in bold letters next to it

Conclusion

Using dialogue to reveal character traits is a powerful way to create dynamic, multi-dimensional characters that readers will love. By paying attention to how your characters speak, you can learn a lot about their personalities, motivations, and relationships. Whether you use dialogue tags, vary the length and complexity of sentences, use subtext, create conflict, or give each character his or her own idiosyncratic language, there are many strategies at your disposal. Remember to keep your dialogue natural, authentic, and focused on advancing the plot and revealing character. Happy writing! đź“ť

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