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SCRIPTWRITING

Dialogue Examples — Film,

TV, Theatre, Fiction & Video
Games
BY CHRIS HECKMANN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

ialogue, or a conversation between two or more people, is something

D
that dominates just about every work of fiction. So, why is dialogue so
hard to write? We’re going to explore the nature of dialogue by breaking down
a series of dialogue examples, from literature to games. Hopefully, by the end,
you’ll know how a breadth of mediums tackle the indomitable task of writing
dialogue.

DIALOGUE BASICS

A quick primer on dialogue

Most of us understand what dialogue is and how it works. But just to make sure
we're on the same page, let's start by defining it. Then we will review some
dialogue examples from across multiple media.

DIALOGUE DEFINITION

What is dialogue?

Dialogue is a written or spoken exchange of words between one or

more characters. Most narrative stories feature this verbal
communication, which is often easily identifiable by either
quotations in literature or dedicated spaces in scripts. Dialogue has
various uses, though it is most often for the purposes of advancing
the plot and building character. For example, it lets the audience
learn more about a character, their history, feelings, and
viewpoints.

Dialogue Characteristics:

Used for advancing the plot

Captures the "voice" of a character
An opportunity for subtext and verbal irony

There are two basic types of dialogue — inner dialogue and outer dialogue.
Inner dialogue is a conversation a character might have in their head with
themselves. Granted, this will often overlap as a monologue or even an aside.

Outer dialogue is what we typically see — a conversation between two or more

characters. Now, let's see some of the best dialogue examples in action.

DIALOGUE EXAMPLES IN A STORY

Meet the Parents

Meet the Parents - Kevin the Ex

Dialogue Examples • Meet the Parents

Words cannot articulate how much I love this scene from Meet the Parents.
The dialogue is simply ~chef’s kiss~ magnifique. The tone? Awkward as all
hell. The acting? Couldn’t be better.

“Whew, she is a tomcat.” Writers of all disciplines should study this scene for
guidance on how to write comedy.

DIALOGUE BETWEEN TWO CHARACTERS EXAMPLE

Naruto: Shippuden

Pain's Cycle of Hatred (English Dub)

Dialogue Examples • Naruto: Shippuden

Anime – particularly Shonen anime – is known more for its action than its
dialogue. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t great anime dialogue. Quite the
contrary, in fact, some of the best moments in Shonen anime come in the form
of dialogue.

This interaction between Naruto and Pain is regarded as one of the greatest
dialogue-driven scenes in anime. As you’re reading, think about how the
dialogue mirrors real-world themes relating to imperialism, war, and
vengeance.

DIALOGUE WRITING EXAMPLES

Oxenfree, Firewatch, and other games

The Most Innovative Dialogue In Games | Game Designer Plays

Dialogue Examples • Most Innovative Dialogue in Games by Game Designer Plays

Video games designers have the unique ability to give players the agency to
influence dialogue in their games. Over the years, we’ve seen designers
implement branching dialogue trees in popular games like Mass Effect and The
Witcher 3.

We’ve also seen designers implement innovative dialogue systems in games

like Oxenfree and Firewatch. In all of these examples, players are given agency
to influence the narrative of their world, all via dialogue.

FICTION DIALOGUE EXAMPLES

A Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire (5/8) Movie CLIP - I'm the King Around Here (1951) HD

Meaningful Dialogue Examples • A Streetcar Named Desire

Sometimes, dialogue works best when it’s extremely one-sided. Wait, no that
can’t be right? Yes, it is! One-sided dialogue is like a tea-kettle that simmers
and simmers until it explodes.

Tennessee Williams is regarded as one of the great dialogue writers of all-time.

This example from A Streetcar Named Desire is a perfect example why. Click
the image link to read the scene in StudioBinder's screenwriting software.

View Sample Screenplay

Dialog Conversation Examples • How to Write Good Dialogue via A Streetcar Named Desire

DIALOGUE BETWEEN TWO CHARACTERS EXAMPLE

Hills Like White Elephants

Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway (Short Story Audiobook)

Dialogue Examples • Hills Like White Elephants, Read by Stephen J. Pena VO

Ernest Hemingway’s short story “Hills Like White Elephants” contains one of
the most famous literary examples of dialogue. In this story, dialogue plays an
essential role.

Hemingway doesn’t outright tell us what’s going on, but rather asks us to
interpret the content of the two characters’ conversation. The end result is
something naturalistic.

View Sample File

Dialogue Format Examples • How to Write Good Dialogue via Hills Like White Elephants

SAMPLE DIALOGUE

Kill Bill & Other Tarantino Films

Tarantino Dialogue — How Kill Bill Keeps Us Hooked

How Kill Bill Keeps Us Hooked • Subscribe on YouTube

Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill films aren’t exactly known for their sharp dialogue
– but there are some gold nuggets hidden underneath the blood and gore. In
our video on Tarantino dialogue, we show you how high stakes, plot structure,
and anecdotes grip readers in scenes 10 pages or longer.

Check out the Kill Bill: Volume 2 confrontation scene below, and consider how
dialogue paces the scene.

View Sample Screenplay

Dialogue Sentence Examples • Dialog Conversation Examples via Kill Bill: Volume 2

DIALOGUE EXAMPLES IN LITERATURE

Macbeth

Exclusive Macbeth Clip: Michael Fassbender's Mind Is Full of Scorpions

Dialogue Examples in Literature • Macbeth

Macbeth is a great play to study if you want to learn about dialogue. The
conversations between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are particularly insightful
for writers because they represent an ever-shifting power dynamic.

This scene from Act Three, Scene Two shows the deterioration of Macbeth’s
mind – and Lady Macbeth’s desperate attempt to restore order.

View Sample File

Fiction Dialogue Examples • Macbeth

UP NEXT

How to Edit a Dialogue Scene

Inspired by these examples? Ready to work on your own dialogue scene? Use
our next article on “how to edit a dialogue scene” as a reference for your work.
We’ll show you a variety of creative and technical strategies for turning a
simple exchange into an unforgettable one. By the end, you’ll know how to
approach a dialogue scene in a myriad of ways.

Up Next: Tips & Tricks for Dialogue Editors→

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Tags: A Streetcar Named Desire, Kill Bill, Macbeth, Meet The Parents, Quentin Tarantino,
Screenwriting

Chris Heckmann
Chris Heckmann is a Professor of Media & Communication at Roger Williams University
and graduate of UCLA’s Cinema & Media Studies Master of Arts program. When he’s not
writing or teaching, he’s probably playing video games (or thinking about the next great
Boston sports trade).

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