Level 4 • Lesson 7 — Use Paragraphs for Dialogue and Description

Objective

I can start a new paragraph when a speaker changes and group descriptive details together to make scenes clear and easy to read.

Materials

Keyboard device (laptop/tablet) ⌨️
Writing Pad (below)
Optional: notebook for quick sketching of scenes

Tip: Dialogue shows talking; description paints the scene. Switch paragraphs for each new speaker.

Mini-lesson — Dialogue vs Description

New speaker = new paragraph. Each time a different character talks, start a fresh paragraph.
Quotation marks go around the words spoken. Put commas/periods inside the closing quote in US style.
Dialogue tags (said, asked, whispered) show who is speaking and may come before, after, or in the middle.
Description groups sensory details (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste) to build a clear picture.
Blend both: Use dialogue to move the scene and description to set mood and setting.

Guided Practice — Writing Pad (Keyboard)

Write a short scene (100–140 words) with two characters. Include:

At least 3 lines of dialogue (new paragraph for each speaker).
One descriptive paragraph (sensory details about the setting).
Use quotation marks and a few dialogue tags (said, asked, whispered).

0 words Saved

Drag & Drop — Dialogue and Description Rules & Examples

Drag a word and release it inside a slot to drop it. Chips stay within their own question. After 3 tries, the answer for that item is revealed.

Whenanewspeakertalksstartanewparagraph.

PutcommasandperiodsinsidetheclosingquotationmarkinAmericanEnglish.

Descriptiongroupssensorydetailstocreateaclearpicture.

"Icannotfindmybook,"Miasaid.

Leowhispered,"Checkunderthedesk."

"Thanks,"Miasaidasshesmiled.

Warmlightspilledacrossthedeskanddustfloatedliketinystars.

Capitalizethefirstwordinsidethequotationmarksifitbeginsasentence.

Actionbeatscanreplacetagsandstillshowwhoisspeaking.

"Arewelateforclass?"Leoasked.

Usedialoguetomovethesceneanddescriptiontosetthemood.

Keeponemainideaperparagraphtoavoidconfusionforreaders.

Quick Check (15 questions)

1) When should you start a new paragraph?

After every five words Whenever a new character begins speaking Only at the end of a page

2) In US English, where does the comma usually go in dialogue?

Inside the closing quotation mark Outside the quotation marks No comma is used

3) A dialogue tag is used to…

Add more adjectives Change the setting Show who is speaking

4) Which belongs in a descriptive paragraph?

A list of speakers The smell of rain and the sound of thunder A math equation

5) Choose the correctly punctuated dialogue start:

"do you hear that?" asked Max. "Do you hear that"? asked Max. "Do you hear that?" asked Max.

6) Two characters are talking. How should you format it?

Put each speaker’s lines in separate paragraphs Put all lines in one giant paragraph Switch paragraphs randomly

7) What can replace a dialogue tag?

A new title A short action beat (She looked away.) A page number

8) Paragraph unity means…

Using as many topics as possible Changing subjects every sentence Keeping one clear focus per paragraph

9) Choose the correct punctuation:

"Are you ready?" asked Jade. "Are you ready"? asked Jade. "Are you ready", asked Jade?

10) The best way to set a mood is to…

Add more names Use sensory details about the setting Skip paragraphs entirely

11) Which is correct with a tag after the quote?

"We should hurry," she said. "We should hurry": she said. "We should hurry". she said.

12) Which helps readers follow a scene?

Removing all punctuation Using one giant paragraph Mixing dialogue with small action beats

13) Choose the correct line:

"Look over there", he said. "Look over there," he said. "Look over there". he said

14) Why do we break paragraphs in dialogue?

To show a change in speaker To add random spaces To hide the main idea

15) A strong descriptive paragraph should…

Include every detail from the whole story Switch topics every sentence Focus on one moment with vivid details

Assessment (parent/teacher)

New paragraph for each new speaker Dialogue uses quotation marks with correct commas/periods One descriptive paragraph with sensory details Paragraphs stay focused on one idea each

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can paragraph dialogue and description clearly 🙂 I need more practice with quotation punctuation 😅 It was tricky to balance action and description

I will practice…

Starting a new paragraph for each speaker Keeping commas/periods inside quotes Grouping sensory details in one paragraph

Lesson 7: Use Paragraphs for Dialogue and Description