Dialogue
by Robert McKee
McKee on how characters speak in page, stage and screen: the functions of dialogue, the difference between what is said and what is meant, and detailed analysis of scenes from Shakespeare to Breaking Bad. Dense, prescriptive and brilliant on subtext.
Read it if…
you write fiction or scripts and your dialogue sounds like people explaining things.
See the book →
Skip it if…
you do not write dialogue.
Try instead: Stein on Writing →
Three things you will actually use
- Dialogue is action, not information.
- Text is what is said; subtext is why.
- Characters do not say what they mean.
Do this first
Read the chapters on subtext and rewrite one scene saying less.
Our verdict
Subtext, mastered.
See the book →
Compare with other Career books
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
Renni Browne and Dave King · Career
The revision checklist.
CLICK TO SEE
Browse all Career book reviews or get the free Reality Code Cheat Sheet.
As an Amazon Associate, WisdomDeck earns from qualifying purchases. Links marked “Click to see” go to Amazon. We are not paid for opinions, prices and availability are not shown here and change on Amazon, and we never see your purchase details. Nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice.