Great dialogue is the lifeblood of any script. It’s what makes characters feel real, drives the plot forward, and delivers those unforgettable lines that audiences quote for years. But writing dialogue that sparkles is no easy task—it’s part art, part craft, and all about knowing your characters.
If your dialogue feels flat or forced, don’t worry. Here are some tried-and-true screenwriting tricks to elevate your words from functional to fantastic.
1. Make Every Line Do Double Duty
In screenwriting, there’s no room for filler. Every line of dialogue should serve multiple purposes: advancing the plot, revealing character, and building subtext.
How to Do It:
- Advance the Plot: Dialogue should move the story forward, not stall it with unnecessary chatter.
- Reveal Character: A character’s speech should reflect their background, personality, and emotional state.
- Add Subtext: The best lines say one thing on the surface but mean something deeper.
Example: In The Godfather, Michael says, “My father is no different than any powerful man, any man with power, like a president or senator.” His calm tone contrasts with the dark subtext of family violence and corruption.
Trick to Try: After writing a scene, ask yourself: What would change if I cut this line? If the answer is “nothing,” the line needs to go.
2. Capture Realistic Speech Without Copying It
Real dialogue isn’t just a transcript of how people talk—it’s a refined, heightened version that feels real while serving the story.
How to Do It:
- Trim the Fat: Real conversations are full of “uhs” and “ums,” but your script shouldn’t be. Keep dialogue concise.
- Embrace Interruptions: People rarely speak in long, uninterrupted monologues. Let characters talk over each other or cut each other off.
- Use Incomplete Sentences: Half-finished thoughts can feel more authentic than perfectly crafted sentences.
Example: In When Harry Met Sally, the dialogue feels effortless because it mirrors the way friends actually banter—quick, overlapping, and peppered with humor.
Pro Tip: Eavesdrop on conversations in cafes or public places to get a feel for natural rhythms. Then distill that into sharp, purposeful lines.
3. Give Each Character a Distinct Voice
If all your characters sound the same, your dialogue will fall flat. Each one should have a unique way of speaking that reflects their personality, background, and motivations.
How to Do It:
- Word Choice: Does your character use slang, formal language, or technical jargon?
- Speech Patterns: Do they talk fast or slow? Use long sentences or short ones?
- Catchphrases or Quirks: A subtle catchphrase can make a character instantly memorable.
Example: In The Big Lebowski, “The Dude” is instantly recognizable by his laid-back, meandering speech: “Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.”
Exercise: Write a line of dialogue and assign it to two different characters. Then rewrite it to reflect each character’s voice. The difference should be obvious.
4. Let Subtext Do the Talking
Subtext is what characters mean but don’t say. It’s the unspoken layer beneath the dialogue, and it’s where the real magic happens.
How to Do It:
- Conflict Beneath Politeness: Characters say polite things but imply hostility (think Succession).
- Hidden Desires: Let dialogue hint at what characters want without explicitly stating it.
- Irony and Double Meanings: Use words that mean one thing to the speaker but something entirely different to the listener.
Example: In There Will Be Blood, Daniel Plainview says, “I have a competition in me. I want no one else to succeed.” The subtext? He’s a ruthless man driven by greed and ambition, even as he masks his true intentions.
5. Use Silence and Pauses
Sometimes the most powerful “dialogue” is silence. Letting a character pause or remain silent can say more than words ever could.
How to Do It:
- Pause for Tension: Use silence to let emotions build in a scene.
- Use Beats Sparingly: A well-placed “(beat)” in your script can emphasize hesitation, doubt, or contemplation.
- Show, Don’t Tell: Let actions or expressions carry the weight of the moment.
Example: In No Country for Old Men, the coin toss scene is laced with tension, and much of the power comes from the pauses and silence between words.
Pro Tip: Watch scenes from Breaking Bad to see how Vince Gilligan uses silence to heighten drama and tension.
6. Break the Rules When It Fits
Great dialogue doesn’t always follow the “rules.” Sometimes a long monologue or a single-word response can have a huge impact.
How to Break the Rules:
- Monologues With Purpose: Use long speeches sparingly, but make them count. Think of Quint’s shark speech in Jaws.
- Non-Answers: Have characters answer questions with unrelated responses, adding mystery or humor.
- Repetition for Effect: Repeating phrases can hammer home a theme or emotion.
Example: In Moonlight, the repeated question “Who is you, Chiron?” forces the protagonist to confront his identity in a haunting, poetic way.
Fresh Resources for Better Dialogue
- Go Into The Story: A treasure trove of screenwriting insights and analysis.
- Script Reader Pro: Tips on dialogue, structure, and breaking into the industry.
- Dialogue by Robert McKee: A deep dive into crafting meaningful and memorable lines.
- Podcasts: Check out On the Page for interviews with working screenwriters.
FAQs About Writing Great Dialogue
Q: How do I avoid writing cliché dialogue?
A: Focus on character-specific speech. If the line could come from anyone, rewrite it until it feels unique to that character.
Q: Should I write accents into my dialogue?
A: Use sparingly. Instead of phonetic spelling, hint at accents through word choice and rhythm.
Q: Can I include slang or pop culture references?
A: Yes, but be careful. Too much slang or dated references can make your script feel stuck in time.
Final Thoughts: Your Words Are Your Legacy
Great dialogue can make or break a script. It’s what audiences quote, what actors love to perform, and what gets producers hooked. By crafting lines that reveal character, drive the story, and sparkle with subtext, you’ll bring your script to life in ways that linger long after the credits roll.
Further Reading
- Writing Screenplays That Sell by Michael Hauge for practical advice.
- John August’s Blog: Expert tips on screenwriting fundamentals.
- Screenwriting is Rewriting by Jack Epps Jr.: A guide to fine-tuning dialogue and structure.
