Dialogue by McKee, Robert -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Welcome Dedication Acknowledgments Preface: In Praise of Dialogue Introduction PART ONE: THE ART OF DIALOGUE

Chapter One: The Full Definition of Dialogue

Dramatized Dialogue Narratized Dialogue Dialogue and the Major Media Dialogue Onstage Dialogue Onscreen Dialogue on Page Indirect Dialogue

Chapter Two: The Three Functions of Dialogue

Exposition Narrative Drive Exposition as Ammunition Revelations Direct Telling Forced Exposition Characterization Action

Chapter Three: Expressivity I: Content

The Said The Unsaid The Unsayable Action versus Activity Text and Subtext

Chapter Four: Expressivity II: Form

The Conflict Complex Dialogue Onstage Dialogue in Film Dialogue on Television Dialogue in Prose

Chapter Five: Expressivity III: Technique

Figurative Language Paralanguage Mixed Techniques Line Design Economy The Pause The Case for Silence

PART TWO: FLAWS AND FIXES

Introduction: Six Dialogue Tasks Chapter Six: Credibility Flaws

Incredibility Empty Talk Overly Emotive Talk Overly Knowing Talk Overly Perceptive Talk Excuses Mistaken for Motivation Melodrama

Chapter Seven: Language Flaws

Clichés Character-Neutral Language Ostentatious Language Arid Language Prefer the Concrete to the Abstract Prefer the Familiar to the Exotic Prefer Short Words to Long Words Prefer Direct Phrases to Circumlocution Prefer an Active to a Passive Voice Prefer Short Speeches to Long Prefer Expressive Language to Mimicry Eliminate Clutter

Chapter Eight: Content Flaws

Writing On-the-Nose The Monologue Fallacy The Duelogue The Trialogue

Chapter Nine: Design Flaws

Repetition Misshapen Lines Misshapen Scenes Splintered Scenes The Paraphrasing Trap

PART THREE: CREATING DIALOGUE

Chapter Ten: Character-Specific Dialogue

The Two Talents Vocabulary and Characterization The Principle of Creative Limitation Locution and Characterization Principle of Character-Specific Dialogue Culture and Characterization

Chapter Eleven: Four Case Studies

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Out of Sight 30 ROCK SIDEWAYS

PART FOUR: DIALOGUE DESIGN

Chapter Twelve: Story/Scene/Dialogue

Inciting Incident Story Values The Complex of Desire Forces of Antagonism Spine of Action Story Progression Turning Points Scene Progression The Beat Five Steps of Behavior Introduction to Seven Case Studies

About the Author Also by Robert McKee Mission Statement Notes Newsletters Table of Contents Copyright