Creating a Character Through Dialogue

1
Creating a Character Through Dialogue

• To use dialogue to show the personality of the
  character.
• To use the correct conventions of speech.
• To include both direct and reported speech in a
  dialogue.
• To include adverbs to describe how an action is
  done.
• To include other words instead of said.

2
How do we create a character through the words
they say? By K. Broad.

• Candles were glowing inside of the cottage,
  flickering brightly against the shutters and
  glistening against the wet pathway.
• Cassie knocked lightly on the door, standing back
  and taking a deep breath, waiting patiently to be
  invited inside.
• Go away! came the gruff voice from inside.
• Please.. Cassie begged desperately. Ive come
  to help. The doctor sent me
• Im not opening the door to strangers. Now- is
  not the time. The unfriendly answer was harsh
  and Cassie felt that she did not deserve to be
  mistrusted without first introducing herself
  properly.

3

• Mr. Foster, really, I dont mean to trouble you.
  I am a nurse. sent to help you. with your
  daughter. Shes a very sick girl! Cassie
  struggled pathetically to get the words out. Mr.
  Foster sounded cold and distant through the door.
  Cassie was frozen through her cape, which
  fluttered wildly in the growing breeze.
• Cassie turned slowly to leave. She knew when she
  wasnt wanted. It hurt her to disappear when a
  little girl was in need, but there was nothing
  she could do.

4
Which dialogue is reported and which is direct?

• Wait! came the shout from the doorway.
• Mr. Foster apologised quickly for doubting Cassie
  but he didnt want strangers dealing with his
  daughter when she was in so much pain.
• I understand Mr. Foster, your little girl needs
  more help and I have been sent to help you.
  Cassie replied truthfully.
• Cassie continued to explain how the doctor had
  been detained on an emergency and would be
  arriving shortly. Eventually, Mr. Foster opened
  his door and motioned for Cassie to enter. She
  stepped cautiously into the room. The unfriendly
  approach with Mr. Foster had unnerved her and
  Cassie did not know how to reassure him.

5

• You had better get on with it, although I dont
  know what you think you can do! Mr. Foster
  coughed loudly, My daughter is through there,
  take care not to startle her.
• Believe me Mr. Foster, I will do nothing of the
  sort. The doctor would not have had me come out
  here at this time of night alone without the hope
  that I might do some good. Cassie felt her
  cheeks glowing warmly with her sudden outburst.
  Cassie was used to feeling welcome when she
  tended to others in need.

6

• Cassie entered a small room, dimly lit with
  bundles of blankets warmly wrapped around a
  quivering girl.
• She told Cassie to sit on the edge of the bed
  and not to worry about her Father who treated
  others coldly. Cassie could see that she had a
  temperature and although she looked about
  fourteen she had lost a lot of weight. The
  infection had obviously affected her greatly,
  leaving her unable to get up.
• Could you open your mouth, and look this way?
  Cassie requested gently.
• My throat is very sore, it hurts to swallow.
  the girl coughed harshly.
• I understand, just for a moment then. Cassie
  requested again politely, hoping to put the girl
  at ease.
• I have felt so ill for such a long time, but I
  never told Father, he worries so much. the girl
  explained weakly.

7

• Dont worry. With the proper care well have you
  fit again in no time. Cassie smiled brightly,
  trying to sound hopeful although she knew the
  girl would be lucky. She was breathing shallowly
  and Cassie suspected that her lungs were also
  damaged.
• Cassie explained that the girl had to take some
  medicine every day until the next time she
  visited and that she needed to rest completely.
• Thank you for coming Cassie the girl gratefully
  replied, feeling better already.
• Ill be back, just as long as that Father of
  yours allows me in! Cassie smiled warmly. She
  would risk Mr. Foster again as long as his
  daughter became well again..

8
Toolkit for writing Dialogue

• Use speech marks for direct speech.
• Use the correct commas, question marks and
  exclamation marks.
• Put each new speaker on a new line.
• Use some reported speech in long conversations.
• Use a variety of words instead of said.
• Include adverbs to describe how words are said.