OPINION: Great Dialogue is All in the Subtext

Writing great dialogue is difficult, but one way to get a step closer is through the use of subtext. Subtext, literally what is below the text, is the deeper implication behind the surface meaning. Dialogue is not the same as real speech. Dialogue is inevitably heightened, even if it’s simply a matter of removing spaces and stammers between words, or of making sure lines don’t overlap. However, they do have something in common. In real life, as in fiction, people rarely say

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This Is Spinal Tap was directed by Rob Reiner. Christopher Guest just played a character in it.

Great article for a great movie. Ferris is the person we all want to be but, like Cameron, keep talking…

She is the less intelligent but also the nicest character, making her lovable

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