Today we’ll have a look at types of dialogues and see some examples to understand how they are used in English.
What is a Dialogue?
A dialogue is a conversation that is a literary technique where at least two or more people are needed to keep talking to each other. Dialogues are served different purposes for performing different types of strategies. For example, a person may express to another person his or her thoughts, desires, feelings, emotions, beliefs, criticisms, reactions, or plans. Generally, it is used to make literary work more enjoyable and lively.
In English drama, it is basically a conversation between two or more characters in literary works. The word Dialogue means two (di) & speak (log). In simple words, it is the conversation to create dialogue. Dialogue is between at least two persons.
There are different types of dialogues in literature:
- Directed Dialogues
- Misdirected Dialogue
- Modulated Conversation
- Interpolation Conversation
- Inner Dialogue
Let’s have a look at each of them one by one:
1. Directed Dialogues
It is considered as the simplest kind of interlocution that is used in literary writing. This interaction happens directly between two people – character A & character B.
2. Misdirected Dialogue
This looks like a natural communication between two participants where they do not answer direct questions. The tone and the manner of the communication might vary only when a third participant interrupts in the conversation.
3. Modulated Conversation
In this type of dialogue, the conversation provides important details. This generally increases the tension of narration or it might reveal the key aspect of the conversation. It is the gradual retrospection and a way to develop a plot or observation.
4. Interpolation Conversation
This type of conversation is used for the insertion. In simple words, interpret some information where you are not given important details directly.
5. Inner (Internal) Dialogue
In inner (internal) dialogue, the people speak to themselves and express their attitudes or opinions. People use inner dialogue to express their flow of consciousness and loneliness.
Example:
‘Want to come over to my place and watch television?’ John asks as the train pulls out of town. ‘It’s Thunderbirds today.’
6. Outer Dialogue
Outer dialogue is a dialogue where people talk to other people. It is a classical dialogue and this type of dialogue is seen most of the time.
Example of dialogues:
- In first-person narration:
- I cannot believe I hurt my brother. Will he ever forgive me?
- In third-person narration:
- “I cannot believe I hurt my brother. Will he ever forgives me?” wondered James.
Examples of Dialogues in English Conversation
Let’s see some sentence examples of conversation dialogues in English.
- ‘I’m sorry, Armand. It’s just that I knew this woman.’
- ‘No.’ Gamache set his own dossier aside and came beside Reine-Marie. ‘How? What’s the case?’
- ‘She wasn’t a friend or anything. You probably knew her too. That bag lady down by the Berri bus station. You know, the one with all the layers in all weather. She’d been there for years.’
- Gamache nodded. ‘Still, it can’t be considered an unsolved case yet. You say she’s only been dead a few days?’
- ‘She was killed on the twenty-second. And this is strange. She wasn’t at the Berri bus station. She was over on de la Montagne, by Ogilvy’s. That’s good, what? Ten, fifteen blocks away.’
following are examples of English conversation dialogues from popular novels.
Example 1: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Calvin licked his lips. “Where are we going?”
“Up.” Charles continued his lecture. “On Camazotz we are all happy because we are all alike. Differences create problems. You know that, don’t you, dear sister?”
“No,” Meg said.
“Oh, yes, you do. You’ve seen at home how true it is. You know that you’re not happy at school. Because you’re different.”
“I’m different, and I’m happy,” Calvin said.
“But you pretend that you aren’t different.”
“I’m different, and I like being different.” Calvin’s voice was unnaturally loud.
“Maybe I don’t like being different,” Meg said, “but I don’t want to be like everybody else, either.”
Example 2: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
“Now he is here,” I exclaimed. “For Heaven’s sake, hurry down! Do be quick, and stay among the trees till he is fairly in.”
“I must go, Cathy,” said Heathcliff, seeking to extricate himself from his companion’s arms. “I won’t stray five yards from your window…”
“For one hour,” he pleaded earnestly.
“Not for one minute,” she replied.
“I must–Linton will be up immediately,” persisted the intruder.
Example 3: The Secret History by Donna Tartt
“Hi, Richard,” she said, and spit out a mouthful of toothpaste. She was wearing cut-off jeans that had bizarre, frantic designs drawn on them in Magic Marker and a spandex top which revealed her intensely aerobicized midriff.
“Hello,” I said, setting to work on my tie.
“You look cute today.”
“Thanks.
“Got a date?”
I looked away from the mirror, at her. “What?”
“Where are you going?”
By now I was used to her interrogations.
Example 4: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
“Hard evidence isn’t hard evidence if you don’t break your back digging for it. An editor named Dom Gretsch told me that.”
Gretsch glares at her.
“I got a lead, Dom.”
“You got a lead.”
I can’t batter you, I can’t fool you. I can only hook your curiosity. “I phoned the precinct where Sixsmith’s case was processed.”
Example 5: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
“Handsome lad like you. There must be some special girl. Come on, what’s her name?” says Caesar.
Peeta sighs. “Well, there is this one girl. I’ve had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I’m pretty sure she didn’t know I was alive until the reaping.
Sounds of sympathy from the crowd. Unrequited love, they can relate to.
“She has another fellow?” asks Caesar.
“I don’t know, but a lot of boys like her,” says Peeta.
“So, here’s what you do. You win, you go home. She can’t turn you down then, eh?” says Caesar encouragingly.
“I don’t think it’s going to work out. Winning…won’t help in my case,” says Peeta.
“Why ever not?” says Caesar, mystified.
Peeta blushes beet red and stammers out. “Because…because…she came here with me.”
Summary:
These types of dialogues help you to build a captivating story or sometimes a novel. Different types of dialogue have different purposes and in the end, they will lead back to character. Sometimes great dialogues bring in good characters.
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