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dialogue

By , About.com Guide

Definition: Dialogue is a conversational passage in a narrative or play used to advance the plot or develop the characters.

For the fiction writer, the challenge is to create dialogue that advances the plot and sounds realistic. Awkward or forced dialogue will pull the reader out of the story.

Alternate Spellings: Dialog
Examples:
"Hills Like White Elephants" is an example of a short story that uses dialogue to reveal the conflict.
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