Indirect dialogue is a narrative technique used when a narrator paraphrases what a speaker said, rather than directly quoting them.
This means the narrator summarizes the content of the speech instead of presenting the exact words spoken by a character.
Key Characteristics of Indirect Dialogue
Understanding indirect dialogue is straightforward once you grasp its core features:
- Paraphrasing: The narrator recounts the speech in their own words, often summarizing longer passages or focusing on the main point.
- No Quotation Marks: Unlike direct dialogue, quotation marks are therefore not needed. This is a primary visual indicator.
- Formatting Flexibility: It is not essential to start a new paragraph for indirect dialogue though you may sometimes find it appropriate. It can often be seamlessly integrated into existing narrative paragraphs.
- Shift in Tense/Pronouns: When converting direct speech (e.g., "I am tired") to indirect speech, the tense and pronouns often change (e.g., "He said that he was tired").
Indirect Dialogue vs. Direct Dialogue
Comparing indirect dialogue to direct dialogue helps highlight its function:
| Feature | Indirect Dialogue | Direct Dialogue |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Narrator summarizes or paraphrases the speech. | Narrator repeats the speaker's exact words. |
| Punctuation | Does not use quotation marks. | Uses quotation marks (e.g., "Hello," he said.). |
| Paragraphs | Can stay within the same paragraph as narrative. | Typically starts a new paragraph for each speaker. |
| Focus | Conveys the meaning of what was said. | Captures the exact wording and tone. |
| Pace | Can speed up the narrative by summarizing. | Can slow down the narrative to show conversation. |
Example of Indirect Dialogue
As provided in the reference:
Example: He said hello and that his name was John.
In this example, the narrator reports what "He" said ("hello" and that "his name was John") without using quotation marks around the reported speech. If this were direct dialogue, it might look like: He said, "Hello, my name is John."
When to Use Indirect Dialogue
Writers often choose indirect dialogue for various reasons:
- To quickly summarize conversations that aren't crucial word-for-word.
- To maintain narrative flow without interruption from line breaks and quotation marks.
- To report facts or information conveyed through speech without focusing on how it was said.
- To avoid repetitive back-and-forth dialogue when only the substance is important.
By paraphrasing speech, indirect dialogue allows the narrator to maintain control over the pacing and focus of the story.
