by Ruth Belena

Created on: December 20, 2009

Dialogue can be highly effective when used to increase conflict, tension and suspense within a novel or a short story. In fiction writing it is usually narrative that defines the plot, and descriptive passages which set the scene. Dialogue is essential for insight into how each character is responding, and to allow characters to be motivated into taking action. Dialogue can reveal when characters have evil intents and are untrustworthy with their words. Dialogue also shows how characters can be naive or vulnerable, when they accept and believe what they are told.

• Conflict

The cause of conflict can come through disagreement or disloyalty. Conflict is best be expressed through angry exchanges of dialogue, with serious threats made, or promises sworn to take revenge. An antagonist can invoke fear with a threat to kill anyone who does not follow orders, or might swear to destroy something the protagonist has taken so long to achieve, if certain terms are not met.

Strong dialogue increases conflict when the response to hearing some news is an expression of deep hatred or distrust. Dialogue can increase conflict when facts are falsely reported, and when true facts are disbelieved.

• Tension

In fiction there can be serious consequences when characters misrepresent the truth. Dialogue can be used to build tension when it is unclear who can be trusted to tell the truth and by uncertainty about whether a character is only guessing or is deliberately telling lies. There could be secret information which a character only pretends to know, or someone could deliberately name an innocent person as a traitor.

Dialogue between truthful characters can also be effective in increasing tension. For example one character could declare: "I am aware they will shoot me on sight if they discover what I'm doing, but I'm prepared to take the risk."

In an exchange of dialogue a brave character could be repeatedly told not to be so self-sacrificing and to desist in a dangerous quest, but responds with a clear determination to proceed. From that moment on readers will really fear the danger of discovery and the consequences if that character should fail to complete the task.

• Suspense

When writing fiction, mystery is maintained when none of the characters appears to know the truth. Dialogue increases suspense when questions remain unanswered, if someone is withholding information or is obviously reluctant to tell the truth.

It is primarily dialogue that drives an antagonist into action, and which gets a character deeper involved in a mystery. Dialogue can increase suspense when misinformation is spread from misunderstanding of something overheard, and from words which are used deliberately deceive.

In fiction writing the dialogue allows a character to respond to the cause of a conflict or to incite conflict. Dialogue can add tension when used to build doubt or uncertainty. Effective dialogue prolongs suspense and makes a story more compelling. Good use of dialogue will ensure readers want to find out how the conflict is resolved and the truth finally revealed.

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