Good day, class! Today we are going to learn about the art of writing effective dialogue. Before we begin, please excuse my tardiness and appearance, I got caught in the rain on my way here.

As writers, our goal is to create characters that feel authentic and real, and one of the most effective ways of achieving this is through crafting believable conversations. In this chapter, we will explore different techniques that will help you write natural-sounding dialogue that resonates with your readers.

First and foremost, we need to understand that dialogue is not just about words. People communicate through body language, subtext, and intonation. In order to write effective dialogue, we need to be mindful of these nuances.

Subtext is what a character is really saying, as opposed to what they are actually saying. It is what lies beneath the surface, and it's often left unsaid. For example, a character might say "I'm fine," but their body language or tone might suggest otherwise.

Body language is a powerful tool that can be used to convey emotion and intent. It can also help us identify what a character is feeling or thinking, even if they don't say it explicitly. For instance, crossing one's arms can signal defensiveness, while fidgeting might show nervousness.

Another crucial element of dialogue is character voice. Every character has their own unique way of speaking, which is influenced by factors such as their background, personality, and experiences. When we give characters distinct voices, it helps to make them feel more authentic and individual.

Now, let's look at some techniques for writing effective dialogue:

• Listen to how people actually speak. Pay attention to the way people use language in real life, the rhythms of their speech, and the phrases they use.

• Cut out the small talk. Unless the small talk is necessary for the scene, it's better to skip it and get straight to the point.

• Use contractions. In real life, people rarely speak in full sentences or use proper grammar. Using contractions in dialogue can help make it feel more natural.

• Vary sentence length. Just like in prose, varying sentence length can help make dialogue more interesting and engaging.

• Use interruptions and overlaps. In real conversations, people often interrupt each other or talk over each other. Using these elements in your dialogue can make it feel more realistic.

Remember that dialogue is a tool to move your story forward, but it's also a chance to reveal character and build relationships. When we write effective dialogue, we create characters that readers can connect with and care about.

Finally, let's wrap up today's class with a little reward for your hard work. As a special treat, I've brought some poki sticks for everyone. They're a popular snack in my homeland, and I thought it would be a fun way to share a little bit of my culture with all of you. So take a break, enjoy the snack, and give yourselves a pat on the back for all the progress you've made today. Great job, class!