Dialogue revealing character examples for Grade 8 writers

📚 Quick Study Guide

🔍 Dialogue reveals character through:
• 🗣️ What they say.
• 👂 How they listen.
• 🎭 Their tone and word choice.
• 🤫 What they *don't* say (subtext).
💡 Avoid:
• 💬 On-the-nose exposition.
• 🤖 Robotic, unnatural speech.
📝 Focus on:
• 💥 Conflict and tension.
• 🔑 Unique voices for each character.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following dialogue excerpts best reveals a character's impatient nature?
   1. A. "Could you please hurry? I have a very important meeting to get to."
   2. B. "Take your time, there's no rush at all."
   3. C. "Is it going to be much longer? Seriously, I need to go!"
   4. D. "I appreciate your hard work and dedication to this task."
2. A character who constantly interrupts others likely reveals what trait?
   1. A. Empathy
   2. B. Confidence
   3. C. Arrogance
   4. D. Humility
3. Which line of dialogue subtly suggests a character is hiding something?
   1. A. "I had a perfectly normal day at work, nothing unusual happened." (Said with shifty eyes)
   2. B. "The sun is shining, and birds are singing!"
   3. C. "I went to the library and read a book."
   4. D. "Everything is fine, just peachy!"
4. If a character uses formal language and avoids slang, what might that suggest?
   1. A. They are uneducated.
   2. B. They are from a different time period.
   3. C. They are trying to impress someone.
   4. D. All of the above.
5. Which of the following shows character through subtext?
   1. A. "I'm fine," she said, tears welling in her eyes.
   2. B. "I am extremely happy," he exclaimed joyfully.
   3. C. "Please leave me alone," she pleaded.
   4. D. "This is the best day ever!" he shouted.
6. A character who constantly uses self-deprecating humor might be revealing what?
   1. A. Genuine happiness
   2. B. A deep-seated insecurity
   3. C. Superiority
   4. D. An outgoing personality
7. Which dialogue example best reveals a character’s intelligence and wit?
   1. A. "Duh, that's, like, totally obvious!"
   2. B. "Well, that's just great!"
   3. C. "I concur, although perhaps a more nuanced approach would yield optimal results, wouldn't you agree?"
   4. D. "I don't know, man."