This guide covers essential dialogue writing rules, provides examples, and offers practice exercises suitable for CBSE students to help improve their conversational writing skills for exams.
What is dialogue Writing?
Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people, either spoken or written. It is used in stories, plays, or day-to-day communication to express what characters or people say to each other.
For example:
Ram: How are you?
Mohan: I’m fine.
Important Rules of Dialogue Writing
1. First of all, know the kind of dialogue you are writing. Dialogue writing can be of three kinds.
(a) Formal Dialogue
(b) Informal Dialogue
(c) Semi-formal Dialogue
(i) Formal dialogue writing will be a conversation between officials, heads of departments, and their subordinates. The conversation between the Principal and a student comes under the formal dialogue.
- be formal.
- maintain the proper distance.
- use words like ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam ‘to show proper respect to them.
For example:
Raju: May I come in, Sir?
Principal: Come in. What do you want?
(ii) Informal dialogue writing is mostly confined to your friends, colleagues or younger You need not be formal in approach. The language can be relaxed and can contain some slang.
For example:
“Hello!”, “Nice to meet you”, “Morning!”, “Hi, Radha!”, “Hey, Ram!”
(iii) In Semi-formal dialogue writing, you don’t have to be very formal but still you have to express proper respect to the person persons you are conversing with.
For example,
when you are conversing with your parents, you can use such greetings.
“Loving Mom!” “Loving Dad!”, “Lovely to meet you again, Mom!”
2. Opening and Ending of Dialogue Writing.
The opening must be brief and effective.
For Example:
Suresh: Hi! How are you?
Sujata: Hi, I’m fine. How do you do?
Raghu: How is it going?
Ragini: Fine. How are you?
Majed: Morning! Not seen for a long time.
Mohan: Good morning! I’ve been out of the station.
Ending/Closing of Dialogue
Generally, endings and closings contain expressions and phrases where the person either thank each other or hope to meet again.
For Example:
Sushma: OK! See you tomorrow.
Suman: Fine. Meet tomorrow again.
Zubeida See you again. It was nice talking to you,
Zubeen: It was my pleasure. See you later.
Ramesh: Bye then. Take it easy.
Roopa: Bye!
Mother: Bye! Take care.
Son: OK. Bye, Mom.
John: See you later. Thanks for the visit.
Jenni: Thanks. See you later.
3. Correct use of Tenses
Take care that you always use the correct tense or the correct form of the verb in dialogue writing.
For example
Ram: How are you?
Mohan: I’m fine. (✔)
[Both the sentences are in the same tense]
Ram: How are you?
Mohan: I was fine. (X)
[Tense should be the same]
4. Subject-verb Agreement
In dialogue writing, the agreement between the subject and the verb is very necessary.
For Example:
Subject ………Verb
(a) You ………are (✔)
You……… have (✔)
You ………were (✔)
[No agreement between and subject and the verb]
(b) You………is (X)
You………was (X)
You………has (X)
5. Punctuations
Students should take special care of using correct punctuation like (.). (). (-), (?), (!) etc. Always be careful in using punctuation marks.
For Example:
Hari: How are you? (✔)
Hello! (✔)
Hi!(✔)
See you later.(✔)
Take care.(✔)
How are you. (X)
6. Proper Use of Contractions
What is a Contraction?
A Contraction is a word made by the shortening of two words. Words like don’t (do not), can’t (can not), I’ve (I have) are all contractions. Students can and should use contractions freely in informal dialogue writing but they are less used in formal writing. Some important contractions:
Contractions …………… Complete word/Phrase
(i) I’m…………… I am
(ii) You’re…………… You are
(iii) He’s…………… He is
(iv) They’re…………… They are
(v) Wouldn’t…………… Would not
(vi) Won’t…………… Will not
(vii) Shan’t…………… Shall not
(viii) Didn’t…………… Did not
(ix) Doesn’t…………… Does not
(x) Wouldn’t…………… Would not
(xi) Shouldn’t…………… Should not
(xii) Ain’t…………… Is not
(xiii) It’s…………… It is
(xiv) With’m…………… With them
(xv) It’s him…………… It is him
(xvi) I’d…………… I would/I had
Dialogue Writing Topics
Discover a variety of dialogue writing topics, including conversations between friends, teachers and students, or parents and children, to practice formal, informal, and semi-formal dialogue skills.
Dialogue Writing 1:
1. Seema and Rani feel greatly distressed to see the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and the non-observance of social distancing and lockdown. These two steps of the government are very vital to contain the pandemic as there is no as yet vaccine for the disease. Lakhs and lakhs of people are dying due to it. Write a dialogue between Seema and Rani on the clue.
Seema: Hai Rani! How are you?
Rani: I am Ok. You seem to be in great distress.
Seema: ……………………….
Rani: ……………………….
Seema: ……………………….
Rani: ……………………….
Seema: ……………………….
Rani: ……………………….
Dialogue Writing 2:
2. Anupam and Shrihan visit Mussoorie, the hill queen during summer. They are very much disappointed to see that the tree cover around the city has been slowly vanishing with rising temperature. Write a dialogue between them on this clue about the queen of hills.
Anupam: Oh it is very good that we have made it to the queen of hills!
Shrihan: Yah! Beautiful. But I don’t find the weather pleasant as we had found three years before.
Anupam: ……………………….
Shrihan: ……………………….
Anupam: ……………………….
Shrihan: ……………………….
Anupam: ……………………….
Dialogue Writing 3:
3. Ram and Shyam are sitting together talking about global warming and its consequences. following hints and construct the dialogue using these between them.
Ram: Hai Shyam! How are you?
Shyam: I am well. Why are you so serious?
Ram: ………………………..
Shyam: ………………………..
Ram: ………………………..
Shyam: ………………………..
Ram: ………………………..
Shyam: ………………………..
Ram: ………………………..
Dialogue Writing 4:
4. There is a great scare coupled with fear due to the spread of coronavirus and the restrictions imposed by the Administration. However, the public, especially the youth are not obeying the necessary rules of social distancing and lockdown. Construct a dialogue between Rakesh and Amar using the following clues.
Rakesh: Hello Amar. How are you all?
Amar: Hai, Rakesh. We are Ok. But there is a great scare in mind due to
complete lockdown and human activity.
Rakesh: …………………………………….
Amar: …………………………………….
Rakesh: …………………………………….
Amar: …………………………………….
Rakesh: …………………………………….
Dialogue Writing 5:
5. Jasmin attends her class after three days as she couldn’t do so due to the illness of her mother. Her teacher Mrs. Seema has a dialogue with her on the issue. Construct a dialogue between them using your own ideas and the clue given above.
Mrs. Seema: Jasmin, come here to me.
Jasmin: Good morning, madam, I am coming.
Mrs. Seema: ……………………………
Jasmin: ……………………………
Mrs. Seema: ……………………………
Jasmin: ……………………………
Mrs. Seema: ……………………………
Jasmin: ……………………………
Dialogue Writing 6:
6. Dipu and Rishu visit a public park and are greatly disturbed to see it in a bad shape. There are items of garbage lying scattered here and there. The hedges have not been pruned for Jong and children are playing amid the garbage. Write a dialogue between Dipu and Rishu using your own ideas and hints given above.
Dipu: Oh my God! How badly managed is this park?
Rishu: Oh yes! There are items of garbage lying scattered here and there.
Dipu: ………………………………………
Rishu: ………………………………………
Dipu: ………………………………………
Kishu: ………………………………………
Dialogue Writing 7:
7. Rinku a class IX student has the problem of indigestion for some time. So he visits a physician for treatment. There occurs a dialogue between Rinku and Dr. Chhabra the physician. Construct the dialogue between them using the following
Rinku: Good morning doctor Chhabra.
Dr. Chhabra: ………………………………….
Rinku: ………………………………….
Dr. Chhabra: ………………………………….
Rinku: ………………………………….
Dr. Chhabra: ………………………………….
Dialogue Writing 8:
8. Parveen and Anupam visit the local vegetable market and are appalled to see its pathetic condition. Heaps of garbage, rotten vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflowers, etc, are lying here and there. There are stray cattle in the mounds of garbage comprising rotten items of vegetables. Parveen and Anupam exchange their thoughts over this condition. Construct the dialogue between them.
Parveen: Anupam, look at the pathetic conditions of the market.
Anupam: ……………………………………..
Parveen: ……………………………………..
Anupam: ……………………………………..
Parveen: ……………………………………..
Anupam: ……………………………………..
Parveen: ……………………………………..
Dialogue Writing 9:
9. Sarandeep visited Rameswaram on Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu state during the winter vacations. It was an exciting journey on the Pamban rail and road bridges connecting Rameswaram to the mainland. He put down some important notes given below about this visit. His friend Parveen asked him how his visit to Rameswaram had been. Write the dialogue between them using your ideas and those given below.
Parveen: Hi Sarandeep! You visited Rameswaram during your winter
vacations. Tell me how had been your visit to it?
Sarandeep: ……………………………………….
Parveen: ……………………………………….
Sarandeep: ……………………………………….
Parveen: ……………………………………….
Sarandeep: ……………………………………….
Dialogue Writing 10:
10. Dinesh visited Gir National Park and wildlife sanctuary, Gujarat during his winter vacations. He saw lions, hyenas, leopards, jackals and various kinds of birds. On return he and his friend Vinod had a dialogue on the visit. Write that dialogue on their behalf using your own words and the information given above.
Vinod: Hi Dinesh! How has been your visit to Gir National Park and wildlife
sanctuary?
Dinesh: ……………………………………………
Vinod: ……………………………………………
Dinesh: ……………………………………………
Vinod: ……………………………………………
Dinesh: ……………………………………………
Dialogue 11:
11. Shrihan visited a hospital one day to see his ailing uncle admitted in it. When he returned his friend Arun asked him about his visit. Write the dialogue between Shrihan and Arun using your ideas and the information given below:
Arun: Hi Shrihan! How was your visit to the hospital?
Shrihan: ……………………………………………
Arun: ……………………………………………
Shrihan: ……………………………………………
Arun: ……………………………………………
Shrihan: ……………………………………………
Dialogue 12:
12. Ravinder visits the zoo in his city one day. He is distressed greatly to see that the animals are not being kept as they should. They suffer much during the hot summer and have to suffer restlessness. His friend Bijender meets him and asks him the reason for his sadness and distress. Write a dialogue between Ravinder and Bijender using your own ideas and the information given above.
Bijender: Hi Ravinder! Why are you looking so sad and distressed?
Ravinder: ……………………………………………
Bijender: ……………………………………………
Ravinder: ……………………………………………
Bijender: ……………………………………………
Ravinder: ……………………………………………
Dialogue 13:
13. Anupam visited a circus when it came to his city. He was greatly excited to see the circus showing the feats etc, of the animals, though these have been reduced much. Horses, elephants etc, showed some feats. When he reached home his mother asked him about his visit to it. Write the dialogue between Anupam and his mother using your own ideas and the information given above.
Anupam’s mother: Anu, you look pretty excited. How was your visit to the circus?
Anupam: ……………………………………………
Anupam’s mother: ……………………………………………
Anupam: ……………………………………………
Anupam’s mother: ……………………………………………
Anupam: ……………………………………………
Dialogue 14:
14. Ranbir visited the river bank near his house one fine day. But unfortunately there occurred a drowning accident when a young boy dived into the river and was nearly drowned. Ranbir was in shock when he returned home as his face showed his state of mind. There occurred a dialogue between him and his father. Write that dialogue using ideas between Ranbir and his father and the information given above.
Ranbir’s father: Ranbir, what happened as you are in a state of shock?
Ranbir: ……………………………………………
Ranbir’s father: ……………………………………………
Ranbir: ……………………………………………
Ranbir’s father: ……………………………………………
Ranbir: ……………………………………………
Dialogue Writing Examples and Answers
Explore sample conversations for various situations like formal, informal, and semi-formal dialogues, complete with correct grammar and punctuation to help improve your dialogue writing skills.
Answer 1:
Seema: You’re right. I am pained to know that lakhs and lakhs of people are dying due to the spread of coronavirus, the pandemic.
Rani: It is so. Complete lockdown and social distancing are the essentials
that can help contain the disease, till a vaccine is made out.
Seema: But it is distressing to see that people are not obeying these government directives.
Rani: Most people are taking these directives lightly and more and more people are losing their lives.
Seema: The government needs to be more strict to make the people obey these objectives.
Rani: Yes, you’re right.
Answer 2:
Anupam: Yes, it is disappointing to see the naked hills due to deforestation.
Shrihan: Earlier the place used to have a sheet of mist spreading over the hills. Now it is not so.
Anupam: The government must see that with the passage of time the place is getting denuded with trees.
Shrihan: Helicopters should scatter the seeds of various trees over the hills. Very soon we shall have them grow all over them.
Anupam: Yes, it should do so.
Answer 3:
Ram: I am concerned about the harm caused by global warming.
Shyam: How?
Ram: Don’t you see the intensity of heat and the drought-like conditions?
Shyam: Yes I do so. There is a drastic increase in temperatures and a rise in seawater levels.
Ram: There is every possibility of littoral countries being submerged.
Shyam: So I see a dark future for the human population.
Ram: I agree with you.
Answer 4:
Rakesh: I, too, am scared at what may happen.
Amar: It is a serious matter though we are trying our best to contain it.
Rakesh: What is scaring is increase in corona infection cases, deaths etc.
Amar: Strict observance of lockdown and social distancing must be strictly adhered to by all.
Rakesh: Those who do not observe these rules should be put in jails.
Answer 5:
Mrs. Seema: Why didn’t you attend the class for the last three days?
Jasmin: I couldn’t, madam, as my mother was ill and no one was at home except me.
Mrs. Seema: You could have sent in your application.
Jasmin: I couldn’t as I didn’t meet any of my friends when I went to them.
Mrs. Seema: How is your mother now?
Jasmin: Thank you madam. She is well now.
Answer 6:
Dipu: The users haven’t put them into garbage bins fixed at different places.
Rishu: It’s strange that the hedges haven’t been pruned for long.
Dipu: It’s disgusting to see children playing in the middle of garbage.
Rishu: We need to speak to the local counsellor about the condition of the park.
Answer 7:
Dr. Chhabra: Good morning. Come and sit. How are you?
Rinku: Well doctor, I have stomachache for some time.
Dr. Chhabra: What about hunger? What did you eat today?
Rinku: I ate normal food but not much. There is indigestion and the bowls are not clear. I have lost around 2 kg of weight.
Dr. Chhabra: Lie down on the table here. After examining I found a little bit of stomach infection. Take these medicines.
Answer 8:
Anupam: It is really shocking to see mounds of garbage here and there.
Parveen: These heaps of garbage and rotten vegetables give out a stinking nauseating smell.
Anupam: See what the stray cattle are eating at these mounds of garbage.
Parveen: Put your handkerchief on your nose to avoid the foul smell.
Anupam: What I fail to understand is why no administrative authority takes action to make the market garbage-free.
Parveen: I also feel the same.
Answer 9:
Sarandeep: It was most wonderful and breathtaking seeing the island from the
Pamban Road Bridge.
Parveen: They say that the Pamban rail bridge is a marvel of engineering.
Sarandeep: You’re right. The two leaves of the bridge open to let the small ships pass and are drawn back to let the trains move.
Parveen: Did you travel on the train crossing the sea on the way to the island?
Sarandeep: Yes, it was exciting to see the train moving slowly on it,
Answer 10:
Dinesh: Hi Vinod! It was adventurous, challenging, and exciting one.
Vinod: What animals did you see in a wild state in it?
Dinesh: I saw lions, hyenas, leopards, jackals and various kinds of birds.
Vinod: Didn’t you feel fear in the open jeep, though it was wire meshed?
Dinesh: I felt that the animals behaved as if they were not bothered about Us…
Answer 11:
Shrihan: It was heart-moving and painful as the visitors looked sad and distressed.
Arun: Hospitals are not tourist places as these are to treat various ailments.
Shrihan: You’re right. Burns ward was most horrific and it was painful to see children in plasters and patients’ legs in plasters tied with bricks.
Arun: You should have imagined these scenes to be there in a hospital. Come on. Don’t feel sad and distressed.
Shrihan: It was a great relief to come out of the hospital.
Answer 12:
Ravinder: Hi Bijender! You’re right. I visited the zoo today and felt distressed about how badly these animals are kept.
Bijender: I, too, find how badly they are taken care of. Their distress is seen in their walk inside the iron cages.
Ravinder: The heat saps their energy during the hot summer.
Bijender: Their suffering should be removed by the authorities at once. How should we help them?
Ravinder: We must write to the curator and confide in the media about their Plight.
Answer 13:
Anupam: Oh! Mom, I’m excited as our visit to the circus was very thrilling.
Anupam’s mother: What was so special about it?
Anupam: The acrobats performed some breathtaking feats and jumped from one end to the other swinging majestically and dangerously.
Anupam’s mother: Did some animals like horses, elephants etc, show some feats?
Anupam: Yes we saw horses and goats perform feats like cycling and saluting with forelegs lifting high up.
Answer 14:
Ranbir: I am in shock as I saw a boy drowning today in the river.
Ranbir’s father: Oh! I am very sorry. Has the boy drowned or was he saved?
Ranbir: Luckily, the boy was saved but I can’t forget his desperate effort to save himself.
Ranbir’s father: Did the boy know how to swim?
Ranbir: I think he didn’t know how to swim. They said he slipped from the bridge…
