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Theatre Arts for Advanced Secondary Schools

Scene clarity: This is another aspect of parenthetical. Some scenes contain many
characters to the extent that it can sometimes be confusing to know who is talking
to whom. So, writers will use parentheticals to help clarify when dialogue is
addressed to a specific character or referring to a particular item. Items can be
used for clarity.
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY

Najath

We have to go; time is not on our side any more.

(A clock on the wall ticks loudly)

Different languages: If the character speaks a language, people are not fluent in,
they can let the reader know with the parenthetical “in [language], subtitled.” If
they alternate languages, a parenthetical also marks when the character switches.
Below is an example.

Lily
(In French, subtitled)

Hello! We are Americans and very lost.

Dialogue

This is a conversation between characters in a screenplay. It is an exchange of
words between two or more people in spoken or written form. The word dialogue
originated in Greek from the word “dialogos” which means conversation.
Dialogue reveals character, both in what is said and how it is said. The dialogue
reveals immediate needs and desires. Through dialogue, one can understand
a background of the character, education, social class, and many more. The
relationship between characters and the possessed power can be revealed through
dialogue. A well written dialogue reveals the personalities, relationships and
motivations of the characters. Dialogue requires being authentic, purposeful
and reflective of each character’s unique voice. Effective dialogue should also
serve multiple functions. This includes advancing the plot, conveying emotions
and revealing subtext. Subtext refers to the underlying meanings and intentions
behind spoken words. Subtext allows deeper layers of storytelling to unfold. In
screenplays, dialogues are written after parentheses and they are indented at the
centre as well.

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