Emoting In Dialogue

**Steven Forbes** · 01-17-2015, 02:15 AM

Emoting. Putting emotion in your character's dialogue. Do you know what it's about? It's about punctuation.

It's all about punctuation.

Let's look at a two word sentence. "Oh no".

Now, that's incorrect, of course. Here it is again, still incorrect.

Oh no

What we're going to do is add punctuation to this in order to make it correct. the first thing we're going to do is add a comma. If you don't know why, learn.

Oh, no

So, it's still incorrect, but it's more correct than it was. What we have to do now is put in the ending punctuation. That ending punctuation will tell the reader a lot about the emotional state of your character.

Oh, no.

Technically, that's correct. I can see that being said in conjunction with something else. It's a bit bored, but as a short sentence, it also has a small feeling of being rushed. I can get behind this in some cases.

Oh, no...

Again, that's correct. The trailing off sound that the ellipsis provides gives the feeling of dread.

Oh, no!

Again, correct. This could give the feeling of dismay, disappointment, surprise, and a host of other emotions.

The ending punctuation for your dialogue is going to give your characters life. I've seen too many "dead" characters because the characters aren't emoting.

Which sounds better?

Oh, no. He's coming at me with an ax.

or

Oh, no! He's coming at me with an ax!

Emoting in dialogue. Make sure your characters do it.

Morganza · 01-17-2015, 03:34 AM

Excellent advice, more like this!

Alyssa · 01-17-2015, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Forbes

Oh, no! He's coming at me with an ax!

Emoting in dialogue. Make sure your characters do it.

Then try to make all your characters sound different.

"F***! Gazza's got a bloody axe!"

"Git outta mah way! He reaches me wit' dat ax an' ahm DID!"

Well, maybe don't go that far.

crognus · 01-23-2015, 06:03 AM

Great advice! Is there a reason you didn't expand this a bit and make it a B&N article, Steven? (I also want to point out your pouch of nuts link on CT is missing the link to your final article 198).

**Steven Forbes** · 01-23-2015, 06:10 AM

It's a quick hit. There isn't enough here to make a full article.

01-17-2015, 02:15 AM	#1
Steven Forbes Freelance Editor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: In the moment Posts: 3,888	Emoting In Dialogue Emoting. Putting emotion in your character's dialogue. Do you know what it's about? It's about punctuation. It's all about punctuation. Let's look at a two word sentence. "Oh no". Now, that's incorrect, of course. Here it is again, still incorrect. Oh no What we're going to do is add punctuation to this in order to make it correct. the first thing we're going to do is add a comma. If you don't know why, learn. Oh, no So, it's still incorrect, but it's more correct than it was. What we have to do now is put in the ending punctuation. That ending punctuation will tell the reader a lot about the emotional state of your character. Oh, no. Technically, that's correct. I can see that being said in conjunction with something else. It's a bit bored, but as a short sentence, it also has a small feeling of being rushed. I can get behind this in some cases. Oh, no... Again, that's correct. The trailing off sound that the ellipsis provides gives the feeling of dread. Oh, no! Again, correct. This could give the feeling of dismay, disappointment, surprise, and a host of other emotions. The ending punctuation for your dialogue is going to give your characters life. I've seen too many "dead" characters because the characters aren't emoting. Which sounds better? Oh, no. He's coming at me with an ax. or Oh, no! He's coming at me with an ax! Emoting in dialogue. Make sure your characters do it. __________________ Learn to make comics at ComixTribe! Be part of the Tribe! E-Mail me for your editing needs. Twitter: @stevedforbes "Criticism is an acknowledgment of your ability to produce results." David Gerrold

01-17-2015, 03:34 AM	#2
Morganza Black Pyramid Studios Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 1,549	Excellent advice, more like this! __________________ Creator of Wicked Jack https://wickedjackmovie.blogspot.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/wickedjack/

01-23-2015, 06:03 AM	#4
crognus Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 422	Great advice! Is there a reason you didn't expand this a bit and make it a B&N article, Steven? (I also want to point out your pouch of nuts link on CT is missing the link to your final article 198). __________________ Aspiring writer. Website: www.jaycrowcomics.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/jaycrowcomics Twitter: @jaycrowcomics

01-23-2015, 06:10 AM	#5
Steven Forbes Freelance Editor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: In the moment Posts: 3,888	It's a quick hit. There isn't enough here to make a full article. __________________ Learn to make comics at ComixTribe! Be part of the Tribe! E-Mail me for your editing needs. Twitter: @stevedforbes "Criticism is an acknowledgment of your ability to produce results." David Gerrold

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