Evaluation Station

Grade 6: Story

Don't do all the talking—let your characters talk too! Try these ideas.

Show personality through the way a character speaks.
No dialogue: Maureen told her brother to set the table.
With dialogue: “Hey, Ralph!” called Maureen. “Put your toys away, and help me out! Right now! You were supposed to set the table an hour ago.”
Let your characters tell about some of the action.
No dialogue: Jenna gave Alan some homemade cookies.
With dialogue: “Hi, Jenna,” said Alan. “Boy, I'm starving.”

“Here, have some of the cookies I just baked,” she replied.

Use adverbs to elaborate dialogue.

Ted spoke softly. “Is the baby asleep?” he asked.

“He fell asleep an hour ago,” Mrs. Martinez replied gently.

Choose formal or informal language to show exactly how the character speaks.
Formal: “Please inform Mr. Burbank that I will see him now,” said our lawyer, Jessica Haines.
Informal: “Hey, Reggie!” shouted Anton. “I'm chilling at the snack bar before I do homework. Join me?”
  • I've got it!
  • End