Grade by Grade
B. Foundations of Language · Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation

Punctuating Dialogue in Scripts and Stories

B3.3About 45 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can use a colon after a character's name to show a new speaker in a script.
  • I can write stage directions in parentheses.
  • I can punctuate dialogue in a story with quotation marks, commas and capital letters.
  • I can change story dialogue into a script, and a script into story dialogue.

Words to know

script
The written text of a play, a skit, a radio show or a video, showing what each character says.
dialogue
The words characters say to each other.
stage directions
Notes in a script that tell actors what to do or how to say a line. They're usually in parentheses or italics.
speaker tag
In a story, the words that tell who is speaking, like Mom answered or asked Owen.

Remember from earlier grades

In stories, you've used quotation marks around the words people say, a capital letter to start the spoken words, and a comma or end mark before the closing quotation mark. You start a new paragraph each time the speaker changes.

Scripts work differently! In Grade 6 the curriculum asks you to use a colon to show a new speaker in script dialogue.

Dialogue in a script

In a script (for a play, a skit, readers' theatre, a podcast or a video):

  1. Write the speaker's name at the start of the line. Many scripts use CAPITALS for names.
  2. Put a colon after the name.
  3. Write exactly what the character says. No quotation marks and no speaker tags like she said.
  4. Start a new line for each new speaker.
  5. Put stage directions in parentheses (and often italics). They tell actors what to do or how to speak: (whispering), (runs to the door).
OWEN:Where are my mitts?MOM:(pointing)By the woodstove.name + colon + line; directions go in ( )
A script: each line starts with the speaker's name and a colon. Stage directions go in parentheses.
In a storyIn a script
"Where are my mitts?" asked Owen.OWEN: Where are my mitts?
Mom pointed. "By the woodstove," she said.MOM: (pointing) By the woodstove.
Quotation marks around spoken wordsNo quotation marks
Speaker tags (asked Owen, she said)Name + colon at the start of the line
Actions are described in sentencesActions go in stage directions ( )
The same dialogue in a story and in a script
Worked example

Let's change story dialogue into a script

Change into a script: "Is the rink open yet?" Priya asked eagerly. Her dad checked his phone. "Not until Saturday," he said. "The ice needs to be thicker."

  1. Speaker 1 is Priya. Write her name, a colon, then only her words. eagerly tells how to say it, so it becomes a stage direction: PRIYA: (eagerly) Is the rink open yet?
  2. Her dad checking his phone is an action: put it in parentheses.
  3. Speaker 2 is Dad. His two quoted parts are one speech: DAD: (checking his phone) Not until Saturday. The ice needs to be thicker.
  4. Remove all quotation marks and speaker tags.

PRIYA: (eagerly) Is the rink open yet?

DAD: (checking his phone) Not until Saturday. The ice needs to be thicker.

STORY“Is the rink open yet?” Priya asked eagerly.SCRIPTPRIYA: (eagerly) Is the rink open yet?speaker tag → NAME + colonhow it is said → stage directionquotation marks → removed
Turning story dialogue into a script: the speaker tag becomes NAME:, eagerly becomes a stage direction, and the quotation marks disappear.
Worked example

Let's change a script into story dialogue

Change into story dialogue: JADE: (shivering) Can we go inside now? / LUCAS: One more run down the hill!

  1. Put Jade's words in quotation marks, starting with a capital: "Can we go inside now?"
  2. Add a speaker tag and turn the stage direction into words: Jade asked, shivering.
  3. New speaker, new paragraph: "One more run down the hill!" Lucas shouted.
  4. The question mark and exclamation mark go inside the closing quotation marks.

"Can we go inside now?" Jade asked, shivering.

"One more run down the hill!" Lucas shouted.

Script tips

  • Speaker names and colons line up on the left, so actors can find their lines quickly.
  • Keep stage directions short. Only add what actors need.
  • A narrator can have lines too: NARRATOR: It was the coldest day of the year.
Just for fun

A very short script:

SQUIRREL 1: (whispering) That last acorn is mine.

SQUIRREL 2: (louder) Says who?

NARRATOR: Winter was going to be very long for these two.

Hands-on activity

Kitchen-table readers' theatre

You need: paper and a pencil (or a computer), and one or more family members to act.

  1. Choose a short scene: a funny moment from your family's day, a scene from a book you like, or a new idea (like two squirrels arguing over the last acorn before winter).
  2. Write a script of 8 to 12 lines with 2 or 3 characters and a narrator. Use NAME: at the start of every line and at least three stage directions in parentheses.
  3. Check: a colon after every name? No quotation marks? A new line for each speaker?
  4. Perform it with your family. Follow the stage directions!
  5. Then choose four lines and rewrite them as story dialogue with quotation marks, speaker tags and new paragraphs.

Your turn

1

What punctuation goes after a speaker's name in a script?

2

Where do stage directions go?

3

Fix this script line: Ella said, "I love snow days!"

4

Turn into a script line: "Pass the maple syrup, please," said Grandpa.

5

Turn into a script line with a stage direction: Nia yawned. "I'm so tired," she said.

6

Turn into story dialogue: MARCO: Did you finish the poster?

7

In a story, what do you do every time the speaker changes?

More practice: warm-up

1

Does a script use quotation marks around spoken words?

2

Does a story use quotation marks around spoken words?

3

Add the missing colon: NARRATOR It was a dark and snowy night.

4

Which is a stage direction: (whispering) or Hello?

5

Add capitals and punctuation: "we won" shouted Ben.

More practice: on your own

1

Fix the errors in this script: Lily: "Where's the dog?" / Max (looking under the table) He's here!

2

Turn into a script: "We need more wood for the fire," Dad said, putting on his boots. "I'll help!" said Zoe.

3

Turn into story dialogue with correct punctuation: TEACHER: (smiling) Who can tell me what a colon does?

4

Add the missing punctuation: Mom said we leave at noon

5

Why do scripts not need speaker tags like she said?

Challenge

1

Write a 4-line script about two friends planning a winter activity. Include a narrator and two stage directions.

2

Rewrite as story dialogue, with correct paragraphs: KAI: Did you hear that? / ROSE: (nervously) It's just the wind. / KAI: Then why is the door moving?

3

Explain how a story and a script show how a character speaks differently. Use an example.

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

Which script line is punctuated correctly?

2.

Where do stage directions go in a script?

3.

Which is correct story dialogue?

4.

What does a colon after a name in a script show?

5.

Which stage direction is best for a sad line?

6.

In a story, what should you do when a new person speaks?

For parents and teachers

Big idea (B3.3): The Grade 6 curriculum names the use of colons to indicate a new speaker in script dialogue. Students also continue to use capital letters, commas and quotation marks in story dialogue. Switching between the two forms shows real understanding.

How to help at home:

  • Do readers' theatre at home. Many free scripts for children are available online (check them first), or your child can write one.
  • When watching a show, ask: "How would this line look in a script?"
  • Compare a play script and a novel at the library.

Common difficulties:

  • Mixing the two forms (quotation marks in scripts, colons in stories).
  • Long stage directions. Keep them to a few words.
  • Forgetting new paragraphs for new speakers in stories.