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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Don't Speak To Me That Way
These exercises were written
by IWW members
and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its
members.
You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that
you found
them at the Internet Writers Workshop
(http://www.internetwritingwor
kshop.org/).
Prepared by: Ruth Douillette
Posted on: May 27, 2007
Reposted on April 13, 2008
Revised and reposted on October 30, 2016
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Exercise: Read the three exchanges of dialogue between two
characters. Choose one exchange, and use it to create a scene.
First, decide how you "see" the two people in the car, and the nature
of their relationship. Note that the driver's response to the
passenger's request hints at his/her age, profession, and his/her
relationship to the passenger. Accordingly, the passenger's reactions
to the driver's response should provide fodder for a plot.
Summary of your task: Using an opening exchange of dialogue, and an
ensuing conversation, create a scene that will help your readers
visualize the two travelers, their relationship, and the reason for
their trip.
Keep subs at 400 words or less. Remember to include your email
address somewhere in the text.
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Dialogue choices:
1- "Take the next exit. I need to go to the washroom," she/he said.
"Aw, come on, you gonna make me late for the game and the coach
will bench me."
2- "Take the next exit. I need to go to the washroom," she/he said.
"Sure, but you know we're already late for the
meeting."
3- "Take the next exit. I need to go to the washroom," she/he said.
"Okay, we'll make a quick stop, but you're leaving your cell
and credit cards here in the car."
You may change the dialogue to match your own style of writing. For
example, instead of "go to the washroom," you might prefer: "have to
find a bathroom," or "need to use the ladies'/men's room," or "make a
quick visit to their restroom," and so on. You may also alter their
destination and the reason that they"re in a rush.
__________________
Exercise: Read the three exchanges of dialogue between two
characters. Choose one exchange, and use it to create a scene.
First, decide how you "see" the two people in the car, and the nature
of their relationship. Note that the driver's response to the
passenger's request hints at his/her age, profession, and his/her
relationship to the passenger. Accordingly, the passenger's reactions
to the driver's response should provide fodder for a plot.
Summary of your task: Using an opening exchange of dialogue, and an
ensuing conversation, create a scene that will help your readers
visualize the two travelers, their relationship, and the reason for
their trip.
Keep subs at 400 words or less. Remember to include your email
address somewhere in the text.
__________________
Critique by commenting on how well you "see" the people having the
conversation. Are they compatible, or in conflict? What have you
learned about each person? Do you have suggestions on how to improve
the scene?
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.
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