How to write dialogue in a narrative

Dialogue is the spoken conversation between two or more characters in a narrative. It can be used to reveal character, advance the plot, and create conflict. When writing dialogue, it is important to keep the following tips in mind:

• Make sure the dialogue is realistic. People speak in different ways, depending on their age, background, and personality. Try to write dialogue that sounds natural and believable.
• Use dialogue to reveal character. Dialogue can be a great way to show the reader what a character is like. For example, a character who is shy and introverted might speak in short, hesitant sentences. A character who is confident and outgoing might speak more loudly and quickly.
• Advance the plot with dialogue. Dialogue can be used to move the story forward. For example, two characters might have a conversation that provides information about the setting or characters, or they might have a disagreement that leads to conflict.
• Create conflict with dialogue. Dialogue can be used to create conflict between characters. For example, two characters might have an argument, or one character might say something hurtful to another character.
  

Here is an example of dialogue in a narrative:

"I'm scared," said the little girl.

Her mother put her arm around her shoulders. "Don't be scared," she said. "I'm here with you."

"But what if the monster comes?" asked the little girl.

"The monster won't come," said her mother. "I'll protect you."

This dialogue reveals the little girl's fear and her mother's love and protectiveness. It also advances the plot by showing that the little girl and her mother are in a dangerous situation.

Here are some additional tips for writing dialogue:

• Use variety in your dialogue tags. Don't just use "said" all the time. Try using other dialogue tags, such as "asked," "whispered," "shouted," and "laughed."
• Punctuate your dialogue correctly. Dialogue should be enclosed in quotation marks. If the dialogue tag comes before the dialogue, the comma goes after the dialogue tag. If the dialogue tag comes after the dialogue, the comma goes inside the quotation marks.
• Proofread your dialogue carefully. Make sure that all of the dialogue is grammatically correct and that it sounds natural and believable.

Writing dialogue can be challenging, but it is a rewarding skill to master. By following the tips above, you can write dialogue that will bring your characters to life and keep your readers engaged.