“Frankly, my dear, I donโt give a damn.” That single line from Gone with the Wind has outlived generations, become cultural shorthand for savage indifference, and still slaps today. Why? Because great dialogue doesnโt just carry a sceneโit makes it unforgettable.
Whether you’re writing a novel, screenplay, or fanfiction that absolutely no one can pry from your Google Docs, dialogue is where your characters breathe. Itโs how tension builds, how relationships unfold, and how inner turmoil gets a mic. From the razor-sharp banter in The West Wing to the gut-punch monologues in Breaking Bad, dialogue is the engine behind the emotional impact.
But letโs back it upโwhat is dialogue? And how do you write dialogue that doesnโt sound like two robots stuck in a coffee shop? Thatโs where we come in. This article will break down real dialogue examples from books, movies, and TV shows, show you how to write dialogue that flows and dig into the magic of internal dialogue, dialogue tags, and even questions that spark suspense or sass.
So buckle in. Whether youโre a dialogue newbie or just here for some examples of dialogue done right, weโve got you coveredโclever quips, awkward silences, inner thoughts, and all.
What Is Dialogue, Really? (Spoiler: Itโs Not Just Talking)
So, what is dialogue? Spoiler: itโs not just people yapping on the page. In storytelling, dialogue is any form of communication from your charactersโspoken aloud, whispered in passing, or stewing silently in their own heads. Itโs the lifeblood of character development, conflict, and connection.
External dialogue is the stuff weโre all familiar with: Character A says something, and Character B repliesโcue banter, arguments, or emotional confessions. Think โIโm gonna make him an offer he canโt refuseโ from The Godfather. A single line can reveal power, intent, and tone in one blow.
Internal dialogue, on the other hand, is your characterโs unspoken thoughts. It’s that sarcastic inner voice, the second-guessing, the fear that doesnโt make it to the surface. The Catcher in the Rye is basically a masterclass in internal monologueโHolden Caulfield lives entirely in his head, questioning everything and trusting no one. That running commentary is the internal dialogue in action.
Whether it’s out loud or locked inside a characterโs brain, dialogue shapes the story from the inside out. And when used right, both internal and external dialogue can make your characters feel intensely realโflaws, fears, and all.
Classic Dialogue Examples That Sparkle on the Page (and Screen)
Some dialogue hits so hard, you can hear it even when youโre just reading it. Thatโs the kind of writing we all chaseโlines that stick, scenes that sizzle. Letโs look at some iconic dialogue examples from books, films, and TV that do more than fill the silence.
Book Example:
โAfter all this time?โ
โAlways,โ โ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
This exchange between Dumbledore and Snape isnโt long, but itโs heavy with emotional payoff. Itโs a brilliant example of dialogue that carries years of unspoken loyalty, love, and regretโall in one word.
Film Example:
โSay โwhatโ again. I dare you, I double dare you…โ โ Pulp Fiction
This tense, unforgettable scene from Tarantinoโs classic shows how tone, pacing, and repetition build suspense and character intensity. Julesโs delivery turns a simple word into a loaded threat.
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TV Example:
โWe were on a break!โ โ Friends
Love it or hate it, this line became a catchphrase because it captures Rossโs angst and denial perfectly. Itโs a prime example of dialogue writing that defines a character and anchors a storyline across seasons.
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Each of these dialogue writing examples shows that itโs not just what characters sayโitโs how, why, and when they say it. These examples of dialogue reveal personality, create tension and invite us into the emotional core of a story. Thatโs the real magic of great dialogue.
How to Write Dialogue: 7 Quick Tips That Actually Work
Writing dialogue that sounds natural and keeps readers hooked is a delicate artโsomewhere between eavesdropping and screenwriting. If youโve ever reread your scene and cringed because everyone sounds like AI robots at a dinner party, fear not. Here are seven fast, fun, and effective tips to show you how to write dialogue that actually works.
- Keep it real (but not too real)
Real people say โumโ and โlikeโ a lot. Your characters donโt need to. Capture the rhythm of natural speech, but trim the fat. Think realism with a script editor. - Donโt skip the subtext
Great dialogue isnโt just about whatโs saidโitโs about whatโs not said. The tension simmers in the spaces between words. Use implication like a weapon. - Give each character a voice
Your characters shouldnโt sound like clones. Use vocabulary, pacing, and tone to make each voice distinct. Dialogue writing examples from shows like Schittโs Creek are gold for this.
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- Break it up with action
Dialogue dumped in paragraphs is the fastest way to lose a reader. Sprinkle in gestures, movement, or even dramatic pauses. People donโt talk in blocksโthey live while they speak. - Cut the exposition monologue
If your character is explaining the plot out loud, theyโre probably not saying it in a believable way. Show, donโt info-dump. - Use tags wisely
Yes, โsaidโ is your friend. But donโt be afraid to switch it up sparingly. (Weโll dive into some dialogue tags examples later.) - Read it out loud
If it sounds clunky to you, itโll read clunky to your audience. Channel your inner voice actor.
Mastering how to write dialogue isnโt about being fancyโitโs about being sharp, intentional, and just the right amount of sneaky.
Internal Dialogue Examples: When Your Characters Talk to Themselves
Internal dialogue is where the juicy stuff lives. Itโs the quiet chaos inside a characterโs headโthe doubts, the sarcasm, the secret fears theyโd never say out loud. If external dialogue is performance, internal dialogue is confession.
Writers use internal dialogue to create intimacy and deepen character development. It lets readers peek behind the mask, hear the inner monologue, and understand motivations that arenโt always visible on the surface.
Take The Hunger Games, for example. Katniss Everdeenโs internal thoughts carry the emotional weight of the story. Her distrust of the Capitol, her conflicting feelings about Peeta, her sheer survival instinctโitโs all filtered through her mind in real-time. Without those internal dialogue moments, weโd lose half the story.
Or look at Breaking Bad. Walter Whiteโs actions say one thing, but his internal conflictโpride, fear, egoโis often revealed in quiet moments, unspoken looks, or scenes where we hear his mental unraveling in voiceover or still silence.
Internal dialogue examples like these show how powerful it can be to let your characters talk to themselves. It adds layers, vulnerability, and truthโand sometimes, itโs the only place theyโre being honest.
Dialogue Tags Examples: More Than Just ‘Said’ (Although, โSaidโ Is Okay Too)
Letโs talk tagsโthe little bits that tell us whoโs speaking and how. Dialogue tags like โhe said,โ โshe whispered,โ or โthey screamedโ may seem small, but they can make or break the rhythm of your scene.
First, a truth bomb: โsaidโ is not boring. In fact, itโs basically invisible to the reader, which is a good thing. Over-tagging with dramatic verbs (โhe exploded,โ โshe moaned,โ โthey thunderedโ) can feel like your characters are in a soap opera. Sometimes, less is more.
That said (pun fully intended), variety helps. In tense scenes, a well-placed โshe hissedโ or โhe mutteredโ can add flavorโjust donโt let your thesaurus run wild.
Dialogue Tag Dos:
- Use โsaidโ as your default.
- Mix in occasional descriptive tags when they add mood or tone.
- Let action or context do the heavy lifting where possible.
Dialogue Tag Donโts:
- Donโt use verbs that donโt make sense as ways to speak (e.g., โhe smiledโ as a tag).
- Donโt clutter every line with a tagโtrust your readers to follow.
Great dialogue tags examples are like seasoning: subtle, intentional, and used just enough to bring out the flavor.
Dialogue Question Examples: Curious Characters & Tense Moments
Questions in dialogue do more than just seek answersโthey provoke, manipulate, and reveal. Whether itโs a detective pressing for truth or a lover pressing their luck, a well-placed question can flip a scene on its head.
Take Sherlock Holmes, for instance. In The Hound of the Baskervilles, Holmes asks, โWhat do you deduce, Watson?โ Itโs more than curiosityโitโs a challenge, a teaching moment, and a signal of respect.
Or consider Gone Girl. When Amy coolly asks, โWhat are you thinking? How are you feeling? What have we done to each other?โโthose questions unravel their entire marriage in three lines. Tension? Sky-high.
Dialogue question examples like these are powerful because they drive scenes forward while pulling readers deeper into character dynamics. Questions can be confrontational, reflective, or even disarming. They invite answersโor pointed silences.
So donโt overlook the humble question mark. Itโs small, but it packs a punch.
Common Dialogue Fails: How to Stay Away From The Room
Even the best writers can slip into awkward dialogue territory. And if you ever need a masterclass in what not to do, just watch The Room (yes, that โYou’re tearing me apart, Lisa!โ movie). It’s unintentionally brilliant at showcasing dialogue gone hilariously wrong. Letโs break down some classic dialogue disastersโand how to fix them.
- Everyone sounds the same
Bad: โHi, Mark.โ
โHi, Johnny.โ
โWhat a story, Mark.โ
Fix: Give characters distinct voices, vocab, and rhythm. Real people donโt all speak like NPCs on a loop.
- Too much exposition
Bad: โAs you know, Iโm your best friend, and weโve known each other since college when you saved me from that vending machine incident.โ
Fix: Trust your reader. Let backstory emerge naturally through action or subtext.
- Overusing names
Bad: โLisa, I love you.โ
โI donโt love you, Johnny.โ
โBut Lisa, why, Lisa?โ
Fix: Use names sparingly. Once we know whoโs talking, let the conversation flow.
- Forced or robotic phrasing
Bad: โI did not hit her. Itโs not true. Itโs bullโ I did not.โ
Fix: Iconic, but not in the way you want it to be. Read your dialogue out loud. If it sounds like a glitchy AI, it probably needs a rewrite.
Remember: natural doesnโt mean boring. It means believable. Unless you’re writing a cult-classic meme machineโthen, by all means, go full The Room.
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The Final Word: Write Dialogue That Speaks Volumes
Great dialogue is more than characters talkingโit’s characters living on the page. When itโs done right, it sharpens pacing, deepens character, fuels conflict, and sometimes delivers a line so iconic it lives rent-free in pop culture history.
So, what have we learned? Dialogue isn’t just about what is saidโitโs how it’s said, whatโs left unsaid, and whoโs doing the talking (or thinking). Weโve covered the basics of what dialogue is, peeked at internal dialogue examples, examined clever dialogue tags, and looked at how to write dialogue that feels fresh, not forced.
Now itโs your turn. Grab a scene from your WIPโor even a cringeworthy one from the pastโand try rewriting it using one or two tips from this guide. Maybe trim that exposition, tweak those tags, or add a question that stirs the pot.
Believe it or not, when it comes to writing dialogue, the best way to learn is to listen.
Need some help crafting dialogue that cracklesโor organizing your entire writing life? Spines has your back. Try it free and see how seamless story-building can be.
Start Your Publishing Journey FOR FREEFAQs – Dialogue Examples
Q1: What are the 3 types of dialogue?
- External Dialogue โ Spoken words between characters.
- Internal Dialogue โ A characterโs inner thoughts or unspoken reflections.
- Dramatic/Unspoken Dialogue โ Implied tension or communication through subtext and silence. Yes, the look says it all.
Q2: What is a dialogue list?
A dialogue list is a document used in film and TV production that includes every line of spoken dialogue in a script, usually alongside timecodes. Itโs essential for subtitles, dubbing, and post-production workโnot something novelists usually sweat over.
Q3: How do I start a dialogue?
Start with a bangโor at least a hook. Use conflict, curiosity, or emotional stakes to launch into dialogue. Forget โHi, how are you?โ unless it’s followed by โI buried the body.โ
Q4: What is full dialogue?
Full dialogue refers to a complete, back-and-forth exchange between characters, often used in scripts or novels to develop scenes, relationships, or tension. Itโs not just a lineโitโs a conversation.
Q5: What is dialogue format?
In prose, dialogue format means using quotation marks and proper punctuation to indicate speech. In scripts, itโs more structured: Character Name (centered), then their lines underneath. Either way, clarity is king.
Q6: What are the best and worst dialogue examples?
Best: Lines that reveal character, spark emotion, or make you reread them just to admire the craftsmanship. (See: โYou talkinโ to me?โ or โAlways.โ)
Worst: Overly stiff, expositional, or robotic lines. Basically, anything that sounds like The Room (โHi, Mark.โ) unless youโre aiming for cult comedy gold.