English 1st Language Grade 6 Dialogue Workbook A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people. When we quote what people are saying we always use quotation marks. If we are writing in a dialogue format, we do not need to use quotation marks if we use the persons’ names and the correct layout. Let’s look at this text between Peter and John. Take note of the layout as we change it into the dialogue format: Peter: My mom says we have a new rule, we (are) not allowed to be on our tablets during dinner! John: Yip, my parents have the same rule! Peter: I don't get it! It’s not fair! John: I quite enjoy it. We get to chat about our days and my dad always tells us a funny story! Peter: Oh, that makes sense now. Sounds nice! Every speaker on a new line. Write the speaker’s name first, with a colon after it : No quotation marks when writing what each speaker says. Pretend there is a line between the speakers’ names and what they are When can we use this format: ¨ A conversation between two or more people ¨ The conversation between characters in a novel, drama, play etc. ¨ An exchange of ideas or opinions ¨ A literary work in the form of a conversation Another form of a dialogue is when we directly quote someone else’s words. When using this technique we would use quotation marks. Let’s recap the rules of quotation marks: 1. Use quotation marks around the person’s direct words. 2. Punctuation always goes inside the inverted commas. 3. Tenses - ensure use of correct tense for the speaker. 4. Start each speaker with capital letters. 5. Start a new speaker on a new line. 6. Be careful not to just use the word “said”. 1 English 1st Language Grade 6 Dialogue Workbook Let’s look at the same conversation and write it using quotation marks: Peter sent a text to his friend John and complained, “My mom says we have a new rule, we (are) not allowed to be on our tablets during dinner!” “Yip, my parents have the same rule!” replied John. “I don’t get it!” exclaimed Peter, “it’s not fair!” “I quite enjoy it. We get to chat about our days and my dad always tells us a funny story.” “Oh, that makes sense now. Sounds nice!” said Peter. When can we use this format: ¨ When writing my own stories and characters are having a discussion. ¨ I can also change this format into indirect speech: Peter exclaimed that it made sense and sounded nice. Did you see I didn't only use the word “said”... Place the following dialogue into the SMS box below. Duke Duke said, “Because in the kitchen I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner!” “Haha. My favourite room is the living room.” explained Ginger. “Why?” questioned Duke. Ginger replied, “Because in my living room there’s a television and a computer. I watch TV every night and I also play computer games in the afternoons.” 2 English 1st Language Grade 6 Dialogue Workbook Use the cartoon clip from Garfield, with John, Arlene and Odie and write it in a dialogue format. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Write your own dialogue, based on the image below. Each character has to speak twice. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 3 English 1st Language Grade 6 Dialogue Workbook - MEMO Place the following dialogue into Duke the SMS box below. Because in the kitchen I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner! Haha. My favourite room is the living room. Why? Because in my living room there’s a television and a computer. I watch TV every night and I also play computer games in the afternoons. Use the cartoon clip from Garfield, with John, Arlene and Odie and write it in a dialogue format. John: Make a wish! Garfield: Like that ever works. The doorbell rings in the background. (You may insert cues in your dialogue) Arlene: Happy birthday, Garfield! Garfield: I stand to be corrected. Write your own dialogue, based on the image below. Each character has to speak twice. Own creative writing. Checklist: 1. No quotation marks, correct punctuation. 2. Each character speaks twice. 3. No spelling mistakes! 4 .