How to Research Dialogue for Plays

The dialogue in a play drives the story and serves to develop the characters. As you watch a play and listen to the characters speak, you engage the dialogue. Authors must remember, too, that an audience has no opportunity to go back and "reread." Carefully craft dialogue that's concise and believable the first time it's heard.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Listen to people's conversations with one another whenever the opportunity presents. Determine the purpose for the exchange and what words are the best clues. Develop an ear for the intentions of words.

2. Keep a journal of the highlights of interesting conversations. Write down unusual expressions and word choices for use by characters.

3. Sit in the local coffee shop and politely eavesdrop on nearby conversations. Make notes of the exchanges between two people. Note the different tones a person uses when ordering coffee as opposed to talking to her companion.

4. Weigh dialogue to decide the nature of the relationship. Listen for clues that indicate that the people are friends, casual acquaintances, business associates or meeting for the first time.

5. Make notes of the nature of the dialogue. Listen for particular expressions that indicate a person's age or regional origin. Document the age and appearance of the participants in notable conversations.

6. Pay attention to the tone of the conversation. Note how people use inflection to influence, to express surprise or frustration or to simply share information.

7. Create dialogues between two characters based on observed scenes. Change the dialogue subtly to change the purpose of the meeting or the tone of the conversation.