DialogueDialogue

Vanessa Clayberg and Arati Vanessa Clayberg and Arati SharmaSharma

VerisimilitudeVerisimilitude Verisimilitude means having a resemblance the truth.Verisimilitude means having a resemblance the truth. Authors use verisimilitude to add a sense of truthfulness Authors use verisimilitude to add a sense of truthfulness

to their writing by using real-life elements and details in to their writing by using real-life elements and details in their stories.their stories.

Example of Verisimilitude:Example of Verisimilitude: If a teenager wanted to lie to his or her parents about If a teenager wanted to lie to his or her parents about

where they were last night, they could make up an where they were last night, they could make up an elaborate story placing them at a friends house elaborate story placing them at a friends house instead of at a wild party. To make the story more instead of at a wild party. To make the story more believable, the teenager could add details about their believable, the teenager could add details about their all-night study session or a movie that they had all-night study session or a movie that they had watched. These details make the story seem more watched. These details make the story seem more credible, thus giving it verisimilitude.credible, thus giving it verisimilitude.

Speech HeadingsSpeech Headings Speech headings are descriptions of a character’s vocal Speech headings are descriptions of a character’s vocal

tones or gestures as they speak a line from a play.tones or gestures as they speak a line from a play.

Speech headings often come before dialogue tell the Speech headings often come before dialogue tell the speaker what emotion they should attribute to the line.speaker what emotion they should attribute to the line.

Examples of Speech Headings:Examples of Speech Headings: Jack: (irritably) Give me back my pen!Jack: (irritably) Give me back my pen!

Susan: (pointing to the table) I left my purse there Susan: (pointing to the table) I left my purse there before I rushed to open the door.before I rushed to open the door.

Stage DirectionsStage Directions These are notes added to the script of a play to convey These are notes added to the script of a play to convey

information about its performance not already explicit in information about its performance not already explicit in the dialogue.the dialogue.

They are all relative to the position of an actor facing the They are all relative to the position of an actor facing the audience—right and left are therefore reversed from the audience—right and left are therefore reversed from the spectators' point of view.spectators' point of view.

Examples of Stage Examples of Stage DirectionsDirections

Example 1:Example 1: An excerpt from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet An excerpt from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

ACT I, Scene 1:ACT I, Scene 1:Verona. A public place.Verona. A public place.Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY, of the house of Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY, of the house of Capulet, with swords and bucklers (shields).Capulet, with swords and bucklers (shields).

Example 2 :Example 2 : An excerpt from Julius Cesar, SCENE 2:An excerpt from Julius Cesar, SCENE 2:

A public place.A public place.Enter CAESAR, ANTONY (dressed for the race), Enter CAESAR, ANTONY (dressed for the race), CALPHURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, CALPHURNIA, PORTIA, DECIUS, CICERO, BRUTUS, CASSIUS, CASCA, a SOOTHSAYER; after them, CASSIUS, CASCA, a SOOTHSAYER; after them, MARULLUS and FLAVIUS.MARULLUS and FLAVIUS.

Direct and Indirect Direct and Indirect DiscourseDiscourse Direct discourse is a report of the exact words used in a Direct discourse is a report of the exact words used in a

dialogue and is usually marked by quotation marks.dialogue and is usually marked by quotation marks. Example of Direct Discourse:Example of Direct Discourse:

He said, “I am tired and going home.”He said, “I am tired and going home.” Philip said, "I'll come if I have the time."Philip said, "I'll come if I have the time."

Indirect discourse consists of reporting such statements Indirect discourse consists of reporting such statements indirectly, or without the usage of quotation marks.indirectly, or without the usage of quotation marks. This is when a third person narrator summarizes the This is when a third person narrator summarizes the

words of a character but replicates his or her words of a character but replicates his or her characteristic idioms and patterns of thought.characteristic idioms and patterns of thought.

Example of Indirect Discourse:Example of Indirect Discourse: He said that he was tired and going home.He said that he was tired and going home. Philip assured them that he would come if he had the Philip assured them that he would come if he had the

time.time.

ReparteeRepartee Repartee is a quick-witted remark used in conversation.Repartee is a quick-witted remark used in conversation. Repartee is often used to show a character’s wit and Repartee is often used to show a character’s wit and

usually adds humor to a more serious situation.usually adds humor to a more serious situation. Example of Repartee:Example of Repartee:

““At a 1912 dinner party, Lady Astor became annoyed At a 1912 dinner party, Lady Astor became annoyed at an inebriated Churchill, who was pontificating on at an inebriated Churchill, who was pontificating on some topic. Reaching the end of her patience, she some topic. Reaching the end of her patience, she blurted out, ‘Winston, if you were my husband, I'd put blurted out, ‘Winston, if you were my husband, I'd put poison in your coffee.’ Churchill famously replied: poison in your coffee.’ Churchill famously replied: ‘Nancy, if you were my wife, I'd drink it.’” –Viva La ‘Nancy, if you were my wife, I'd drink it.’” –Viva La Repartee, Dr. Mardy GrotheRepartee, Dr. Mardy Grothe

SoliloquySoliloquy A speech given by a character from a play to relay his or A speech given by a character from a play to relay his or

her thoughts aloud to the audience and themselves.her thoughts aloud to the audience and themselves. A soliloquy is given when no other character is A soliloquy is given when no other character is

present on stage, and can give the audience insight present on stage, and can give the audience insight into a characters feelings or actions.into a characters feelings or actions.

Examples of Soliloquies:Examples of Soliloquies: The “To Be or Not To Be” soliloquy from The “To Be or Not To Be” soliloquy from

Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s HamletHamlet. This is thought to be the most . This is thought to be the most famous soliloquy.famous soliloquy.

Iago’s “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse” Iago’s “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse” speech from Shakespeare’s speech from Shakespeare’s OthelloOthello..

AsideAside Aside is a quick remark made by a character that Aside is a quick remark made by a character that

typically embodies a thought out loud about their present typically embodies a thought out loud about their present situation.situation. An aside is said in the accompaniment of others on An aside is said in the accompaniment of others on

stage, but is meant only to be heard by the audience, stage, but is meant only to be heard by the audience, the speaker, and the person the remark was made to the speaker, and the person the remark was made to (if any).(if any).

Example of Aside from Romeo and Juliet:Example of Aside from Romeo and Juliet: Juliet: Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and Juliet: Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and

I'll no longer be a Capulet.I'll no longer be a Capulet.Romeo (Aside): Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at Romeo (Aside): Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?this?Juliet: 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art Juliet: 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague…"thyself, though not a Montague…"

Fin.Fin.