Using Dialogue to Write Emotion
Writing Dialogue to Reveal Emotions
Effective dialogue combines verbal and nonverbal communication to reveal a character’s emotional state. The way characters communicate—through words, body language, and vocal cues—can deepen relationships and showcase vulnerabilities.
Utilize Personality and Backstory
A character’s personality shapes their emotional responses. For instance, consider Jason, a timid character, and Dominic, a confident character, both needing to ask their boss, Mrs. Swanson, for time off.
- Jason’s Interaction:
- Jason tapped on the doorframe. The battle-axe didn’t look up just kept slashing through numbers on her sales report.
- “Um, Mrs. Swanson?”
- No response.
- He shifted his weight, wondering how to proceed. He couldn’t mess this up. He couldn’t miss another of Kristina’s games.
- “Um… about this weekend? I know your email said I needed to work but… Well, I kind of already have plans—”
- “Cancel them,” she said in a tone that was as forgiving as her Sharpie.
- Dominic’s Interaction:
- Dominic gave the door a rat-a-tat before opening it. “Hey Mrs. Swanson.”
- Silence.
- He cleared his throat, clenching his hand around the doorknob. “I can’t work this weekend. I have plans.”
- “Cancel them,” she said, not bothering to look up.
- Heat shot through his insides, bringing him to his full height. “You can’t make me work last minute.” His voice was louder now and he didn’t care. “I can stay late on Monday but not this weekend. Best I can do.”
These examples illustrate how personality and backstory influence dialogue. Jason’s nervousness is apparent in his hesitant approach, while Dominic’s confidence shows in his assertive tone.
Combine Verbal and Nonverbal Elements
Dialogue isn’t just speech; body language and small actions (beats) add depth and reveal emotions. For example, in Jason’s conversation:
- Jason tapped on the doorframe… shifted his weight… shuffled half a step into her office… his gaze dropped to the rug.
These actions highlight Jason’s nervousness, adding depth to the verbal exchange.
Take It Easy on the Tags
Dialogue tags (he said, she muttered) should be used sparingly to avoid melodrama. Simple tags like “said” are often invisible to readers and don’t distract from the dialogue. For example, in Jason’s conversation, the tag “said” is only used once, with the rest of the dialogue relying on beats and actions to clarify who is speaking.
Use Vocal Cues to Show Changes in Emotion
A character’s voice changes with their emotional state. Experiment with pitch, volume, tone, speech patterns, and word choice to indicate shifts in emotion. For example:
- Jason’s hesitations: “Um… about this weekend?”
- Dominic’s volume getting louder: “You can’t make me work last minute.”
These vocal cues show how emotion affects their speech, adding another layer of depth to the dialogue.
Make Your Dialogue Work Harder
Dialogue should serve multiple purposes beyond revealing information. Characters often have different goals in a conversation, leading to inherent conflict and emotional depth. For example, if Character A initiates a conversation to pursue a romantic interest while Character B seeks business connections, their differing goals create tension and complexity.
By considering these elements, writers can craft dialogue that authentically showcases their characters’ emotions and enriches the narrative.