# Dialogue Craft — Script Core

> How to write dialogue that feels real, advances story, and reveals character.

## The 4 jobs of dialogue

Every line should do at least 2:
1. **Reveal character** — voice, worldview, mood
2. **Advance plot** — moves story forward
3. **Subtext** — implies what's not said
4. **Create conflict** — disagreement, tension

## Voice — make characters sound different

Each character should have:
- **Vocabulary** — formal vs casual, educated vs street
- **Rhythm** — short clipped vs long winding sentences
- **Idioms** — regional/cultural expressions
- **Topics** — what they bring up unprompted
- **What they avoid** — what they don't say

Test: Cover character names. Can you tell who's speaking?

## The 3 levels of dialogue

### Level 1: On-the-nose (BAD)
```
ƏLİ
I'm angry at you because you left me.

LEYLA  
I left you because I was scared.
```

Characters explain their emotions directly. Boring.

### Level 2: Indirect (GOOD)
```
ƏLİ
I noticed you took your books.

LEYLA
There wasn't much room in my new place.
```

Surface conversation, deeper meaning underneath.

### Level 3: Subtext through avoidance (BEST)
```
ƏLİ
The radiator's been making that sound again.

LEYLA
I told you to call someone.

ƏLİ
You told me a lot of things.
```

Talking about the radiator, fighting about the relationship.

## Brevity

Most beginners write too much dialogue. Cut ruthlessly:
- If two lines convey same info, keep the better one
- If a beat works in silence, cut the line
- "Less is more" especially in film

## Interruptions

Real conversation has interruptions:
```
ƏLİ
I just thought maybe—

LEYLA
Don't.
```

Use `—` for interruption. Use sparingly for impact.

## Beats (silence)

Indicate silence with:
```
LEYLA
(beat)

LEYLA  
That's not what I meant.
```

A beat = a pause. Lets emotion land.

## Rhythm

Vary line length:
- Short bursts for tension
- Long winding lines for character (Sorkin) or thoughtfulness
- Mix for natural flow

## Cultural / regional voice

For Azerbaijani / Turkish / Persian characters:
- Use natural language patterns of that culture
- Untranslated idioms can add texture
- Avoid stereotyping

## Avoid

- Names mentioned constantly ("Yes, ƏLİ, I will, ƏLİ.")
- Greetings extended (cut "Hello, how are you, fine thanks")
- Exposition disguised as conversation ("As you remember from college, when we...")
- Period-inappropriate slang
- Everyone sounding the same
- Adverbs in dialogue tags ("she said angrily")

## Improve dialogue checklist

For each line, ask:
1. Does it sound like THIS character (not generic)?
2. Does it do at least 2 of the 4 jobs?
3. Could it be shorter?
4. Could it be replaced with action/silence?
5. Is there subtext, or is it on-the-nose?

If it fails any, revise or cut.

## Dialogue and action interplay

Best moments often combine:
```
ƏLİ
I'm fine.

He grips the edge of the table until his knuckles turn white.
```

The action contradicts the dialogue. That's the truth.