Dialogues are called «dialog» or «dialogue» in English. They are conversations between two or more people that consist of speech and counter-speech. They can be oral or written and come in many forms.
As you can see, dialogues occur every day in your everyday life without you actively noticing them. Any possible conversation between people can be called a dialogue, whether face-to-face directly or via social media messages. Since you often deal with dialogue, it’s important to have a good knowledge of it – especially in a foreign language.
Dialogues will not only help you in your English class for your exams, but also in everyday life when you converse with English speakers. For example, when you are asked for directions or want to order something in a restaurant.
If you want to learn more about English texts, click through our explanations on speech analysis, summaries or statements.
Here we have a short example of what an English dialogue in a restaurant might look like. Below you will find a detailed dialogue template for a visit to the restaurant.
1: Hello Sir, what can I get for you tonight?
2: Good evening, I’d like to have the spagetti with carbonara sauce and a coke please.
1: Of course. Can I get you anything else?
2: Can you also bring me a glass of water?
1: Sure! Sparkling or still?
2: Sparkling please.
1: Right away, sir.
2: Thank you.
Structure of a dialogue in English
have dialogues no fixed shape and no defined structure, as they are very individual and can appear in many forms. If you talk to your friends, for example, you have a completely different dialogue than if you order something to drink in a bar or talk to a teacher. Dialogues are therefore always dependent on the situation.
In general, however, the following can be said about the structure:
If only two people are talking to each other, they always take turns talking. However, if several people are involved in the conversation, the parts of the conversation can also be distributed differently.
If only one person is having a conversation (with himself) it is called a monologue («monolog/ monologue»).
Understand dialogue in English
To understand English dialogues we have a kind Step by step guide compiled how best to proceed. You can use these instructions in class, for example, if the dialogue is also available in writing:
1. Look closely headline of dialogue or depicted pictures on if there are any. Often these aspects already give clues to the content of the text or are even essential to be able to understand the dialogue in English.
2. Skim the text to be able to work out the general theme for yourself. Pay attention keywords and mark them so that you can remember everything better. It will also make it easier for you to find the words afterwards.
3. Then look for more detailed information from the text by using the 5 W questions answer: Where? When? Who? What? and Why? Hopefully you now have a pretty good idea of what the dialogue is about. The best thing to do is to take notes and summarize everything briefly and concisely for yourself.
4. If you do not understand some of the answers exactly, always try to orientate yourself on the question and the general topic. Most of the time you can find out a lot of unfamiliar words through the context.
You can always look up unfamiliar vocabulary. In our «Bilingual dictionary» explanation, we have once again described exactly how to use a dictionary. But remember that you don’t always have to understand every single word to understand the content.
Writing a dialogue in English – preparation
If you are asked to write English dialogue in class, you should not just start writing. Your dialogue would probably be rather disorganized and without a common thread. That is why we have summarized briefly how you can best prepare yourself systematically.
research
If you are writing a dialogue on a specific topic, you should first study the topic thoroughly so that you have enough material to write with. If you have time for research and are allowed to use tools, you should first write down everything you already know about the topic and then fill in the gaps in your knowledge through the internet or books. If you have no research time, you have to rely on your previous knowledge.
Since a dialogue should develop, it is usually helpful if both people in the conversation do not have the same opinion on the topic. That’s why you can get one Pros and cons table create and collect a few arguments for each side. So both dialog partners have something to say. The arguments should also build on each other and be able to invalidate each other, so that the conversation follows a common thread and the arguments are not thrown around pointlessly.
For each argument, think of a suitable counter-argument.
Here you will find a table on the topic «Exchange Year»:
Per exchange year
Contra exchange year
- new experiences
- you learn about a new culture, lifestyle
- you will become more mature and self-confident
- you will meet lots of new friends
- your foreign language will improve a lot
- it’s very expensive
- you will probably miss your friends and family (homesickness)
- being a foreigner in a new country can be scary
- it can be rough if you don’t get along with your host family
structuring
When you have finished the research, you can now think about how you want to structure your dialogue. Divide your text into an introduction, main part and conclusion and answer the following questions:
- How should my dialogue start? What is the initial situation? How is the topic addressed?
- Which sides are represented by the interlocutors? What roles do they assume (e.g. parent and child, friends)?
- In what order should the arguments be addressed? Is there a common thread?
- What emotions are produced? How do people talk to each other (emotionally, factually)?
- How should the conversation end? Is consensus reached or not?
Write dialogue in English
Hopefully you are now well prepared for your dialogue. In the next step, we will now explain to you what you still have to consider when writing out your dialogue. We also give you a few vocabulary suggestions that can help you when writing an English dialogue.
Procedure and tips
After you have done your preparatory work and have sufficiently researched and structured your dialogue topic, you can now start writing the English dialogue. You should note the following things:
- Write in the simple present or present progressive since the dialogue is in the present tense.
- There is no narrator, so the emotions must be clear through the wording of the sentence.
- Put yourself in the situation and try to empathize with both sides.
- Try to make the characteristics of the conversation partners clear through formulations.
- Make sure that the speech parts of the people are not too long. Short and quick exchanges of words keep the tension going.
- Adjust speech language to the context. Who is talking to whom? Do not write too formally, otherwise it will be closed. So use slang and slang as well.
vocabulary
So that you can write your dialogue as well and professionally as possible, we have compiled the most important vocabulary and idioms for you here:
German
English
In my opinion
In my opinion
As for me
As far as I’m concerned
If you ask me
If you ask me
How I see it
The way I see it
It has never occurred to me that…
It never even crossed my mind that…
As far as I know
As far as I know
I agree with you
I agree with you
I do not agree with you
I disagree with you
You are partly right.
You’re right up to a point.
Let’s return to…
Let’s get back to…
This leads to nothing
That gets us nowhere.
Can I interrupt you for a moment?
May I interrupt you for a second?
I want to add something
I’d like to add something.
Dialog English example
So that you understand exactly what is meant by this explanation, here are two dialog examples for you. An English dialogue about a day of shopping and a dialogue about a visit to a restaurant.
English dialogue shopping
Initial situation: Bobby is shopping with a friend and is looking for a dress for her prom. Because she can’t find the right size, a salesperson helps her.
Bobby (B): Hey Josh, look at this beautiful dress! Do you like it?
josh (J): I don’t know… I don’t think that such a loud dress is the right choice for our prom. What about this one? It’s made out of silk and just looks very noble, doesn’t it?
B: You’re right! It feels so soft. And do you remember my black high heels? They would match perfectly. I just need another black bag, because the one I have is too old…
J: I love your enthusiasm, but don’t you want to know how much the dress costs and whether it’s the right size?
B: Oh yes, tell me!
J: It costs £90.
B: Well, that’s pricey…
J: I know, but I think you will look stunning in it. By the way, it’s size S.
B: Oh no, I need L…
Shop assistant (S): Hey guys, can I help you?
B: Hey, you’ve just arrived at the right time! I love this dress, but it’s too small. I normally take size L.
S: That shouldn’t be a problem. Let me check the stock, I’ll be right back.
five minutes later
S: Here you go, size L.
B: Thank you. Where can I try it on?
S: The fitting room is over there.
B: Thank you.
This dialogue could go on: Does Bobby fit the dress or doesn’t she find it so pretty? Use our guide and write your very own ending.
English dialogue about a visit to the restaurant
A situation that you will probably encounter more often on vacation is the dialogue in the restaurant. The first part is about what you want to order and the second part is about ordering the food and talking to the waiter.
mom (M): Honey, have you decided yet what you’re going to order?
dad (D): Yes. I’ll have the steak with fries, I think. What about you, kiddo?
You (Y): Don’t call me kiddo! But no, I don’t know yet. Urgh, I can’t decide whether pizza or pasta!
M: I agree with you, it’s a hard choice, sweetheart. You want to toss a coin?
D: What speaks for pizza and what for pasta?
Y: Hmmm. If you ask me, pizza is the best food on this planet. But pasta is close behind.
D: Alright, that gets us nowhere. Let’s get back to the coin tossing.
Y: No, it’s fine. I decided to go with pizza. And I think as a drink I’m going to have a coke.
M: No you’re not. You already had five cokes today. You can have a water or maybe a juice or something.
Y: Oh Mom, I’m 16! Don’t you think it’s time for me to decide for myself what I’m going to drink?
D: In my opinion she’s right, you know. But don’t exaggerate, kiddo.
waiter (W): Good, evening. May I take your order?
M: Yes, please. I’ll have a glass of wine and a pizza with mushrooms.
W: Of course. Would you like some arugula on the pizza?
M: No, thank you.
D: I’d like to order the steak with fries please. and some…