How to Show Internal Dialogue in Writing: Italics, Thoughtful Actions, Free Indirect Discourse, Stream of Consciousness and Character Reactions

Introduction

Internal dialogue is a literary device used to express a character’s thoughts, feelings, and opinions. It can be an effective way to bring a character to life on the page and make them more relatable to readers. But how do you go about showing internal dialogue in writing? This article will explore various techniques for expressing internal dialogue, including the use of italics, thoughtful actions, free indirect discourse, stream of consciousness, and character reactions.

Use Italics to Represent Internal Dialogue

One of the most common ways to show internal dialogue in writing is to use italics. When a character’s thoughts are written in italics, it makes it easier for readers to differentiate between what’s being said out loud and what’s being thought internally. This is especially useful when a character is speaking out loud but having an internal dialogue at the same time.

When to Use Italics

Italics should be used sparingly—only when absolutely necessary—to avoid overuse. They should also be used consistently throughout the text so that readers can easily recognize when a character is thinking rather than talking. For example, if a character is speaking out loud but then has an internal thought, the thought should be written in italics to indicate that it’s not part of the conversation.

Benefits of Using Italics

Using italics to show internal dialogue allows for a seamless transition between what’s being said and what’s being thought. It can also add a layer of depth to the character’s thoughts, as the reader is able to get a more nuanced understanding of their inner workings.

Show Characters’ Thoughts Through Action

Another way to show internal dialogue in writing is to have characters act out their thoughts through physical actions. This can be done by having the character pause before responding to someone, or by having them gesture or move in a certain way. These subtle actions can convey a character’s internal thoughts without the need for words.

Examples of Thoughtful Actions

For example, if a character is hesitant to answer a question, they might take a deep breath before responding. Or if a character is trying to hide their true feelings, they might force a smile. These types of thoughtful actions can help to reveal a character’s inner thoughts without the need for words.

Benefits of Showing Thoughts Through Action

Showing characters’ thoughts through action can be a powerful tool for conveying a character’s internal dialogue. It can also help the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the character’s emotional state and motivations. Additionally, using thoughtful actions can help to create a more immersive reading experience, as the reader can visualize the character’s movements and gestures.

Use Free Indirect Discourse

Free indirect discourse is another technique for expressing internal dialogue in writing. It involves using a third-person narrator to convey a character’s thoughts and feelings. This can be done by having the narrator repeat the character’s thoughts verbatim or by paraphrasing them in order to give the reader a sense of what the character is thinking or feeling.

Definition of Free Indirect Discourse

Free indirect discourse is a narrative technique in which a third-person narrator conveys a character’s thoughts and feelings without directly quoting them. It allows the narrator to provide insight into the character’s inner life while still maintaining a degree of distance from the character.

Benefits of Using Free Indirect Discourse

Using free indirect discourse can be a powerful tool for revealing a character’s inner thoughts and feelings. It can also help to create a more immersive reading experience, as the reader is able to gain insight into the character’s thoughts and emotions without the need for direct dialogue. Additionally, it can help to maintain the flow of the story, as the reader is able to gain insight into the character’s thoughts without disrupting the narrative.

Show Inner Monologues Through Stream of Consciousness

Stream of consciousness is another technique for expressing internal dialogue in writing. It involves writing in a style that mimics the character’s natural thought process, allowing the reader to gain insight into their innermost thoughts and feelings.

Definition of Stream of Consciousness

Stream of consciousness is a narrative technique in which the writer attempts to capture the character’s natural thought process. The goal is to provide a window into the character’s inner life, allowing the reader to gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and motivations.

Benefits of Using Stream of Consciousness

Using stream of consciousness can be an effective way to show internal dialogue in writing, as it allows the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the character’s thoughts and feelings. Additionally, it can create a more immersive reading experience, as the reader is able to follow the character’s thought process in real-time. Finally, it can help to maintain the flow of the story, as the reader is able to gain insight into the character’s thoughts without disrupting the narrative.

Use the Character’s Voice in Interior Monologue

Interior monologue is another technique for expressing internal dialogue in writing. It involves writing in the character’s own voice, allowing the reader to gain insight into their thoughts and feelings.

Examples of Character Voice in Interior Monologue

For example, a character might think, “I can’t believe I said that! What was I thinking?” This type of interior monologue allows the reader to gain insight into the character’s thoughts and feelings without the need for direct dialogue. Additionally, it can help to create a more immersive reading experience, as the reader is able to hear the character’s voice in their head.

Benefits of Using Character Voice in Interior Monologue

Using character voice in interior monologue can be an effective way to show internal dialogue in writing, as it allows the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the character’s thoughts and feelings. Additionally, it can help to create a more immersive reading experience, as the reader is able to hear the character’s voice in their head. Finally, it can help to maintain the flow of the story, as the reader is able to gain insight into the character’s thoughts without disrupting the narrative.

Use Character Reactions to Show Internal Dialogue

Character reactions can also be used to show internal dialogue in writing. This can be done by having a character react to something in a certain way, such as clenching their fists or furrowing their brow. These subtle reactions can help to convey a character’s inner thoughts without the need for words.

Examples of Character Reactions

For example, if a character is angry, they might clench their fists or grit their teeth. Or if a character is nervous, they might fidget or bite their lip. These types of reactions can help to reveal a character’s internal thoughts without the need for words.

Benefits of Using Character Reactions

Using character reactions can be a powerful tool for conveying a character’s internal dialogue. It can also help the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the character’s emotional state and motivations. Additionally, using thoughtful reactions can help to create a more immersive reading experience, as the reader can visualize the character’s movements and gestures.

Conclusion

Internal dialogue is a powerful tool for expressing a character’s thoughts and feelings in writing. This article explored various techniques for showing internal dialogue, including the use of italics, thoughtful actions, free indirect discourse, stream of consciousness, and character reactions. Each of these techniques can be used to help bring a character to life on the page and make them more relatable to readers.

In summary, this article discussed how to show internal dialogue in writing through the use of italics, thoughtful actions, free indirect discourse, stream of consciousness, and character reactions. Understanding the benefits of each approach can help you better express your characters’ thoughts and feelings.