Writing conventions are used to maintain clarity and understanding for the reader. That being said, conventions are not rules and some writers choose to subvert them. Whether learning conventions to use them or ignore them, being intentional and aware is ideal.
Either single or double quotation marks can be used for dialogue. Whichever you choose, the other can be used for quotes within dialogue. This is why consistency is non-negotiable.
Typically, the UK uses single quotation marks, double for quotes within the dialogue. Whereas the USA uses the opposite.
'The book states that, "British English uses single quotes",' she said.
"It goes on to say, 'American English uses double quotes'," he responded.
𝔓𝔲𝔫𝔠𝔱𝔲𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔓𝔩𝔞𝔠𝔢𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱
In the case of dialogue, punctuation should never come immediately after quotation marks. If a tag precedes the dialogue, punctuation will come before the quotation marks. Quotation marks for dialogue cannot be closed without punctuation.
He penned a note in the margin: 'Punctuation before quote marks. It's not an essay, it's a story!'
𝔄𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔗𝔞𝔤𝔰 𝔳𝔰. 𝔇𝔦𝔞𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔲𝔢 𝔗𝔞𝔤𝔰
An action tag is a sentence that goes alongside dialogue and explains an action that is distinct from speaking. For example :
'I think this it right." She frowned.
A dialogue tag is a phrase that refers to producing speech. It described the dialogue directly (said, screamed, whispered, etc.). For example :
'I think this is right,' she muttered.
She muttered, 'I think this is right.'
Dialogue tags cannot be stand-alone sentences; a comma should always join the speech and dialogue tag together.
Action tags, on the other hand, are always stand-alone sentences. They are separate from the dialogue.
ℭ𝔞𝔭𝔦𝔱𝔞𝔩𝔦𝔰𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫
Incorrect capitalisation in dialogue tends to happen due to misidentifying the start and end of sentences. The first word of dialogue, for example, is always capitalised (even when it is preceded by a dialogue tag).
He shouted, 'See! Just like this.'
If dialogue is bisected by a tag, the second section of dialogue is only capitalised if it marks the start of a speaker's sentence.
'No need to shout,' she drawled. 'We get the idea.'
'I'll shout,' he yelled, 'whenever I bloody want to.'
'Action tags always need capitalisation,' someone whispered, 'because they're stand-alone sentences.' The shadowy figure slunk away, leaving the pair to argue.
Question marks and exclamation marks do not mark the end of a spoken sentence. They indicate the tone. Dialogue tags must be in lowercase following any of these.
'Like this?' she asked.
'I don't know!' he exclaimed.
𝔔𝔲𝔬𝔱𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰
When citing something, only the quoted material should be inside the quotation marks. If this explicitly includes punctuation, keep it within the quotation marks, if not, leave it out. For example :
He read the post, 'Dialogue : Rules and Conventions'.
The poster wrote, 'consistency is non-negotiable.'
Quotations should never deviate from the source material, and remain as faithful as possible to the original words/punctuation/spelling. Adding or subtracting should never happen.
ℑ𝔫𝔡𝔦𝔯𝔢𝔠𝔱 𝔇𝔦𝔞𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔲𝔢
Indirect dialogue is when the narrator paraphrases what a speaker has said. It should not have any quotation marks, and a new paragraph is not necessary (though some prefer for readability). For example :
He mentioned something about streams and consciousness. She couldn't remember his exact words.
Both external and internal indirect dialogue have the same rules.
ℑ𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔩 𝔇𝔦𝔞𝔩𝔬𝔤𝔲𝔢
Direct internal dialogue refers to the characters exact thoughts as opposed to their spoken words. The grammatical rules are almost interchangeable with those of external dialogue, thus, the main 'rule' is about distinction.
Some use italics, some use alternative quotation marks (single if using double for regular dialogue). Be consistent with whichever is chosen! For example :
Nobody knows what I'm thinking, she mused. Unless mind readers exist, of course.
𝔈𝔪 𝔇𝔞𝔰𝔥𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔈𝔩𝔩𝔦𝔭𝔰𝔢𝔰
In dialogue, an em dash indicates an interruption, whereas an ellipsis suggests the speaker trailing off.
Em dashes indicate an interruption of dialogue. They are placed immediately after the speaker's last word, inside the quotation marks.
'You mean like—'
'Yeah, just like that,' he interjected, before entering the office.
'—tuning in as well.' His secretary's head swung round as the door opened.
Dialogue can also be interrupted by the speaker's own actions. When this happens, the em dashes surround the action and sit outside the quotation marks. This should not be treated like a dialogue tag!
'Okay' —she scratched her head— 'I think I've got it.'
𝔓𝔞𝔯𝔞𝔤𝔯𝔞𝔭𝔥𝔰
A new paragraph is needed:
When there is a change in speaker.
When a different character becomes the focus (this could be through action, consideration, speech, etc.).
One speaker's dialogue can have several paragraphs. Here, an opening quotation mark is assigned to the beginning of each new paragraph. However, there remains only one closing quotation mark at the end of the speaker's dialogue.
Within a section of dialogue, a new paragraph is needed:
If the intended recipient(s) of the dialogue changes part way through.
If there is a shift (this could be in theme, focus, direction, etc.). Paragraphing like this is quite intuitive, keep in mind that it's intended to create readability and understanding.
A new paragraph is not necessary:
To separate a character's actions right before their dialogue. If the character and the pacing is consistent, there's no need for a new line.
If dialogue is followed by the speaker's actions.
To switch between the speaker's internal and external dialogue.
Awhile ago I made this Trantjean sparring (read: trant taking the opportunity to bully jean) piece for a disco elysium pin-up thing! Excited to see and share everything compiled!
