Writing Dialogue Expertly: Learn from These Great Dialogue Examples

It’s no question that one of the most powerful elements in a story is dialogue. In film, dialogue builds the overall tone of the movie, establishes the relationships between characters and subtly reveals the main thematic messages to the audience. Thus, writing dialogue effectively is a critical part of succeeding as any kind of writer.

In this article we’ll examine:

• What is the Meaning of Dialogue?
• What is Great Dialogue?
• The Evolution of Dialogue.
• 10 Examples of Great Dialogue (2010-20)

Different genres function well with different dialogues. Sometimes, its an unexpected use of dialogue that makes the story most effective. Other times, a foreseen dialogue is necessary in order to move the plot forward without confusion. This is why writing dialogue for film can be tricky. 

When writing dialogue, filmmakers must decide how they want their audience to perceive their film. Will it be comedic and sarcastic? Will it be serious and realistic? Oftentimes, filmmakers will use a combination of these characteristics when writing dialogue. 

One of the best ways to learn about writing dialogue is by standing on the shoulders of giants. To help with this, we’ve gathered together some of the best dialogue examples from ten notable Oscar-nominated/-winning films from the past decade.

Before we dive in though, let us go over the basics.

Overview of Cinematic Dialogue:

Cinematic Dialogue is defined simply as 

“oral conversation between two or more characters.”

This straightforward definition gives the writer a lot of room for creativity. On the other hand, it also gives them a lot of room for error. One must remember: There are films, and then there are great films. Equally, there is dialogue, and then there is great dialogue. 

Ultimately, great dialogue has purpose. Great dialogues have a reason for each word exchanged. If a film’s dialogue is out of character, unnecessary or misplaced, it can easily bring the entire production down. We don’t like to vilify, but have you seen The Room?

To perfect dialogue, writers must ask themselves two questions:

• What does this conversation give to the audience?
• What does the film gain by this exchange between these characters?

If these questions cannot be answered, the script needs revision.

What is Great Dialogue?

Above all, the most crucial use of writing dialogue is development. Great dialogue progresses the story effortlessly. Additionally, it builds the characters’ personalities in the most expressive way.

Writers are often told “show, don’t tell,” and this is exactly what dialogue does. The audience wants to judge the characters for themselves, and dialogue is how you let them. Dialogue is how characters express themselves. The best dialogue can reveal a character’s personality just by its very tone rather than its actual content.

Great dialogue contains much more than the sum of its parts. It can be the tip of an iceberg, hiding a great deal beneath it. Or great dialogue can be music to the ears, yielded like a linguistic weapon, cutting to an audience’s very core, either positively or negatively (to make them laugh or to make them cry).