Lesson 1

Writing Effective Dialogue

"Look, Sally got an A on her report card!" Mrs. Clark exclaimed to her husband.

"She must have studied hard," he said.

"Yes, she did."

"That’s good to hear."

"Why don’t you tell her what a good job she did."

"I think I will," he said. She needs to be complimented, he thought. He got up and left to find Sally.

"Congratulations on your grade," Mr. Clark said, as he entered Sally’s room, a smile on his face and pride in his voice. "You’ll have to work hard to keep it," he said, "but you know I have faith in you."

"Thanks, Dad," said Sally, beaming.