Dialogue Punctuation and Formatting
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Objective
I can write dialogue in a short story using proper punctuation and formatting.
Part 1 of 3
Key concepts
3 concepts
- 1
Each new speaker should begin a new paragraph, and their exact words should be enclosed in quotation marks.
- 2
Use commas to separate dialogue tags from the dialogue itself, placing the comma either after the tag if it comes before the dialogue or before the closing quotation mark if it comes after.
- 3
Use em dashes to indicate interruptions or abrupt changes in thought within dialogue.
Part 2 of 3
Practice
7 questions
Why is it important to start a new paragraph each time a different character speaks in dialogue?
Where does punctuation go in relation to quotation marks when writing dialogue?
Part 3 of 3
Exit ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Write a short dialogue (at least 4 lines) between two characters, Alice and Bob, following all the rules of punctuation and formatting discussed. Include at least one dialogue tag and one instance of an em dash.”
Sample answer included in the free materials
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Teacher Guide
Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities
Student Handout
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