How Dialogue Reveals Character and Moves the Plot

Analyze what a conversation tells you about characters and how it pushes events forward.

Dialogue does two jobs at once. It reveals character through what people say, how they say it, and what they avoid saying. It also advances the plot by delivering information, creating conflict, or forcing a decision. Look at this original exchange: '"Did you finish the bake sale posters?" asked Amir. "Define finish," said Jada, sliding a blank sheet under her notebook. ' Jada's joking answer and her hidden blank sheet show she is avoiding responsibility and using humor to deflect.

It also moves the plot: the bake sale is tomorrow, so there is now a problem to solve. When you analyze dialogue, ask three questions. What does this line reveal about the speaker? What does it reveal about the relationship between speakers? What changes in the story because of this conversation? Pay attention to gaps, too. A character who changes the subject or answers a different question may be hiding something important.

• 1Dialogue reveals character and advances plot
• 2Notice how lines are said and what is avoided
• 3Ask what changes in the story after the conversation