Do I really have to start a new paragraph every time someone different talks?ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
Published:
February 9, 2012
Q: Do I really have to start a new paragraph every time someone different talks? It seems to take up a lot of room on the page.
A:
Those paragraph breaks do take up extra space, but they also help the
reader follow the conversation. Readers are reading with an
understanding of this convention, so breaking away from it can cause
confusion. Look at this passage:
“Are
you going to the party?” Shelly asked. “No way I’m dealing with that
mess.” Charlene shifted her chair away from the table. “I’m so tired of
that scene.”
As written, Shelly is the
speaker of this dialogue. It’s conceivable that she’d say all of this,
including asking a question that she answers herself. Charlene shifting
away from the table seems like a reaction to Shelly’s comment, “No way
I’m dealing with that mess.” |
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