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Best Practical Tips on How to Use Dialogue to Reveal Character Traits and Advance the Plot
Dear writer,
Dialogue is a great narrative technique that not only brings people to life, but it also acts as a means of revealing their characteristics and advancing the story.
To properly use conversation in your writing, below are useful tips on how to do that along with practical examples.
Show, Don’t Tell
Instead of telling the reader about a character’s personality, use dialogue to show it. For example, rather than saying “John was a kind person,” you can have John say something kind or perform a kind act through his words. This makes the character’s traits more vivid and believable.
Example:
- Instead of: “John was always helpful.”
- Use: “Don’t worry, I’ll help you carry those bags,” John said warmly.
Use Subtext
Subtext is the underlying meaning behind the words spoken by a character. It adds depth to the dialogue and reveals more about the character’s true feelings and intentions. For instance, a character might say, “I’m fine,” but their tone and body language might suggest otherwise. This contrast can reveal inner conflict or hidden emotions.
