# Lesson 18: Add dialogue and emotions to characters

✍️ WRITING (40 Lessons) • 🟡 C. Creative Writing

← Back to Level 3

## Objective

I can write clear dialogue using quotation marks and show emotions with actions, thoughts, and precise feeling words (not just “happy” or “sad”).

## Materials

- Pencil ✏️ and eraser
- Notebook or device
- Tracing Pad (below)

Tip: Use a dialogue tag (said, asked, whispered) and a small action beat (She gripped the railing.) to show emotion.

## Mini-lesson — Dialogue & feelings that feel real

1. Quotation marks go around the words spoken: “We have to hurry!”
2. Use a tag and comma: “We have to hurry,” she said.
3. New paragraph for each new speaker.
4. Show, don’t tell: show feelings with actions (shivered), thoughts (I can do this), and precise words (anxious, thrilled, relieved).
5. Keep it short: dialogue lines are usually short and natural.

Video won’t be included when printing.

## Guided Practice — Trace feelings & tag lines

Trace a few feeling words and tag lines, then write one tiny dialogue scene (2–3 lines) that shows emotion without saying it directly.

- Feeling words: relieved, anxious, determined, thrilled
- Tags & beats: she whispered, he said, they shouted, her hands shook
- Example: “The key fits,” she whispered, hands shaking. “Turn it,” I said.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Letter
Pen

## Drag & Drop — Build Dialogue-Friendly Sentences

Drag the chips into the slots to build clear sentences that support dialogue and feelings. Keep punctuation at the end.

The friends whispered a plan before the gate.
Her hands trembled but her voice stayed calm.
He asked for the map and waited for an answer.
They shouted with relief when the lock clicked open.
Please pass the lantern he said at last.
I cannot see the path whispered Maya to Leo.
Anxious but determined he lifted the heavy beam together with us.
She asked if the cliffs were safe after the rain.
Thrilled we finally spotted the tiny light on the shore.
He said the storm will pass soon but his hands still shook.
We asked the guard for help and he pointed to the tower.
At last he asked are you ready to go.

## Quick Check (15 questions)

#### 1) Quotation marks are used to show…

the setting the exact words a character says sound effects only

#### 2) Choose the correct placement of the comma:

“Hurry,” she said. “Hurry” , she said. “Hurry” she said ,

#### 3) New paragraph when…

the sentence is long a character changes clothes a new speaker begins talking

#### 4) Which shows emotion without naming it?

She was sad. She rubbed her wet eyes and looked away. She felt an emotion.

#### 5) A dialogue tag is…

said/asked/whispered jumped/ran sky/sea

#### 6) Best precise feeling word:

nice good relieved

#### 7) Which punctuates dialogue correctly?

“Where are we going”? asked Max. “Where are we going?” asked Max. “Where are we going” asked Max?

#### 8) Choose the best action beat to show fear:

He gripped the railing. He was fear. He had a feeling.

#### 9) Which line sounds natural?

“I am going to utilize.” “I am not sure, affirmative.” “I’m not sure. Let’s check.”

#### 10) In “Show, don’t tell,” which helps most?

color names actions and thoughts long synonyms

#### 11) Which is a correct tag placement?

“We should hurry,” he said. “We should hurry” he said,. We should hurry, he said “.”

#### 12) Best revision for showing excitement:

She was excited. She had excitement. She bounced on her toes and grinned.

#### 13) Choose the best precise word:

good anxious stuff

#### 14) Which line needs a new paragraph?

A second character begins speaking. The sun rises. The setting changes later.

#### 15) Action beats are useful because they…

replace all dialogue list the setting show emotions and break up speech

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Dialogue has correct quotation marks and commas New paragraph for each new speaker Emotions are shown with actions/thoughts/precise words Dialogue sounds natural and concise

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 My dialogue punctuates correctly and shows feelings 🙂 I need more practice with commas and tags 😅 I need stronger action beats

#### I will practice…

Using said/asked/whispered + a comma Showing feelings with actions Making dialogue short and natural
Lesson 19 →