Starter quiz
- 'A conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film' is the definition of which word beginning with 'd'?
- 'dialogue' ✓
- 'To match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'?
- 'emulate' ✓
- To be 'sullen' means to be ...
- bad-tempered ✓
- joyous
- apathetic
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- To speak in a monosyllabic way means to ...
- use figurative language
- speak eloquently
- use brief or few words ✓
- use hand gestures
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- If a character is speaking monosyllabically, what might that suggest about them?
- They are in a bad mood. ✓
- They are in a happy mood.
- They don't have a good relationship with the person they're speaking to. ✓
- They have a very good relationship with the person they're speaking to.
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- Which of the following facial expressions might indicate tension?
- furrowed brow ✓
- beaming smile
- raised eyebrows
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Exit quiz
- 'A literary style which focuses on the accurate representation of life and its events' is the definition of which word beginning with 'r'?
- 'realistic' ✓
- Match the punctuation with the connotation.
- Exclamation mark⇔heightened emotion - anger, surprised, excitement ✓
- Question mark⇔curiosity, uncertainty ✓
- Ellipsis⇔uncertainty, hesitation ✓
- When writing dialogue, it's often effective to take a '______ is more' approach to the actual exchange of words.
- 'less' ✓
- 'To respond to (a gesture or action) by making a corresponding one' is the definition of which word beginning with 'r'?
- 'reciprocate' ✓
- Potentially, an equal distribution of lines between two characters in a dialogue might indicate which of the following?
- a power imbalance
- a balance of power ✓
- a tension between the characters
- a reciprocity between the characters ✓
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- Which of the following body language descriptions might indicate relief?
- a deep exhale ✓
- a sharp inhale
- clenched shoulders
- loose shoulders ✓
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Dostoevsky uses facial expressions, body language, structure and punctuation to create effective dialogue.
- To emulate Dostoevsky, we might begin by asking what emotion our characters feel.
- Then we might consider how we can show those emotions through body language, structure and punctuation.
- When writing dialogue, often less is more when it comes to the actual exchange of words between characters.
Common misconception
That the only important part of writing a dialogue is thinking about which words the characters are going to use.
When writing dialogue, you want to consider how you can show emotion through descriptions of facial expressions, body language, and your use of punctuation and structure.
Keywords
Emulate - match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation
Dialogue - a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film
Monosyllabic - using brief or few words to signify reluctance to engage in conversation
Realistic - a literary style which focuses on the accurate representation of life and its events
Reciprocate - respond to (a gesture or action) by making a corresponding one
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