DIALOGUE
The Art of Verbal Action for the Page, Stage, and Screen
DIALOGUE is the follow-up to the perennially best-selling writers’ guide, STORY, from the most sought-after expert in the art of storytelling.
The Definitive Guide to Great Dialogue
“I used to think great dialogue couldn’t be taught. You either had an ear for it, or you didn’t. That was before I read McKee’s DIALOGUE. He’s a wizard at explaining the unexplainable.”
“McKee teaches what is not yet taught. He shines his unwavering analytical light on the structure and invisible substructure of dialogue. He takes a craft that is often considered instinctual or magical and reveals its chemical secrets.”
“DIALOGUE is a masterwork. There’s nothing harder to teach. Now this book exists. McKee has written an essential book akin to The Elements of Style for all writers.”
“McKee’s DIALOGUE is a mother lode of insight and inspiration for any writer. His teachings have changed my career and changed my life. Robert McKee is in a category of one.”
Dialogue Is Not Conversation.
Tradition defines dialogue as talk between characters, but all talk responds to a need, engages a purpose, and performs an action. To say something is to do something. Therefore, beneath every line of character talk, the writer must create a desire, intent, and action. That action then becomes the verbal tactic we call dialogue.
Robert McKee’s popular writing workshops have earned him an international reputation. The list of alumni with Oscars runs off the page. The cornerstone of his program is his singular book, STORY, which has defined how we talk about the art of story creation.
Now, in DIALOGUE, McKee offers the same in-depth analysis for how characters speak on the screen, on the stage, and on the page in believable and engaging ways. From Macbeth to Breaking Bad, McKee deconstructs key scenes to illustrate the strategies and techniques of dialogue. DIALOGUE applies a framework of incisive thinking to instruct the prospective writer on how to craft artful, impactful speech.
