Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and thought, "Ugh, that dialogue was so clunky and unnecessary!"? We've all been there, guys. Pointless dialogue can really drag down a story, making it feel slow, awkward, and even a bit silly. It's like the writers are just filling space instead of actually moving the plot forward or developing characters. So, let's dive into the world of bad dialogue and check out some prime examples of what to avoid in your own writing.
What Exactly is Pointless Dialogue?
Pointless dialogue, also known as unnecessary dialogue, refers to the conversations between characters that don't serve a clear purpose in the story. It's the kind of back-and-forth that doesn't advance the plot, reveal character traits, build tension, or create any kind of meaningful connection with the audience. Instead, it often involves characters stating the obvious, repeating information we already know, or engaging in conversations that feel incredibly unnatural. Think of it as the verbal equivalent of filler – those extra scenes or descriptions that add nothing to the overall narrative.
To really understand pointless dialogue, let's break down what good dialogue should be doing. Effective dialogue is a powerful tool for writers. It can:
- Advance the plot: Dialogue can reveal crucial information, set up future events, and move the story forward.
- Develop characters: The way characters speak, their word choices, their tone – all of this tells us a lot about who they are.
- Build relationships: Conversations between characters can show us the dynamics of their relationships – are they friends, rivals, lovers? How do they interact with each other?
- Create conflict and tension: Heated arguments, tense negotiations, and subtle power plays can all be conveyed through dialogue.
- Add realism and authenticity: Believable dialogue makes characters feel like real people, which helps the audience connect with the story.
When dialogue fails to do any of these things, it becomes pointless. It's like background noise that distracts from the story rather than enhancing it.
Key Characteristics of Pointless Dialogue
So, how can you spot pointless dialogue in a script or novel? Here are some telltale signs:
- Stating the obvious: This is when characters say things that everyone in the scene already knows. For example, a character might say, "We need to stop the villain!" when that's the clear objective of the entire group. It's like the writer is underestimating the audience's intelligence.
- Exposition dumps: This happens when characters engage in unnatural conversations solely to deliver information to the audience. They might explain complex plot points or character histories in ways that feel forced and unrealistic. Think of it as a character giving a lecture instead of having a conversation.
- Redundant conversations: This involves characters repeating information or rehashing arguments that have already been covered. It's like watching the same scene play out multiple times, which can be incredibly frustrating for the audience.
- Unrealistic small talk: While some small talk is natural in real life, it can feel out of place in a story if it doesn't serve a purpose. If characters are chatting about the weather or their weekend plans when there's a looming crisis, it can feel tonally inconsistent.
- Overly formal or stilted language: Characters who speak in a way that's unnatural or overly formal can sound like robots rather than real people. This can make it difficult for the audience to connect with them.
- Dialogue that doesn't match the character: If a character suddenly starts speaking in a way that's inconsistent with their established personality, it can feel jarring and unrealistic. For example, a shy and introverted character wouldn't suddenly launch into a long, dramatic monologue unless there's a very good reason for it.
Examples of Pointless Dialogue in Action
Let's get to the nitty-gritty and look at some specific examples of pointless dialogue. Recognizing these patterns is the first step in avoiding them in your own writing.
Stating the Obvious: The "As You Know" Trope
One of the most common forms of pointless dialogue is the dreaded "As You Know" trope. This is when a character says something that both they and the other characters already know, simply for the benefit of the audience. It's a clunky way to deliver exposition and often feels incredibly unnatural.
Example:
Professor: "As you know, students, the ancient artifact we're searching for is said to possess incredible power."
Student 1: "Yes, Professor, we remember you telling us that it can grant the wielder unimaginable abilities."
Student 2: "And if it falls into the wrong hands, it could spell disaster for the world!"
In this example, the professor is stating something that everyone in the room already knows. The students' responses are equally pointless – they're just reiterating information that's been established. This entire exchange could be cut without affecting the plot or character development.
Why it's pointless: The characters already know this information, so there's no reason for them to be saying it out loud. It's purely for the audience's benefit, which makes it feel forced and unnatural.
How to fix it: Instead of having characters state the obvious, find a more organic way to deliver the information. Perhaps the professor could reveal a new piece of information about the artifact, or the students could discuss the potential dangers in a more nuanced way.
Exposition Dumps: The Lecture Disguised as Conversation
Exposition dumps are another common pitfall of bad dialogue. This is when characters engage in lengthy explanations of plot points, backstories, or world-building details, often in a way that feels completely unnatural. It's like the writer is using the characters as mouthpieces to deliver information to the audience.
Example:
Character A: "You know, ever since the Great War 100 years ago, when the dragons were driven from the kingdom and the magical barrier was erected to protect us from their fiery breath, our people have lived in fear of their return."
Character B: "Yes, and the prophecy foretold that a chosen one would rise to defeat the dragons and restore balance to the land, but no one has come forward yet."
This dialogue is a textbook example of an exposition dump. The characters are reciting historical facts and prophecy details in a way that feels completely unnatural. It's unlikely that two people would have this conversation in this way unless they were specifically trying to inform someone else (i.e., the audience).
Why it's pointless: The conversation is solely for the purpose of delivering information, not for character interaction or plot advancement. It feels forced and unnatural.
How to fix it: Break up the exposition into smaller pieces and weave it into the story more organically. Perhaps the characters could discuss the history or prophecy in the context of a specific event or decision. Or, you could reveal the information through flashbacks, internal monologues, or other storytelling devices.
Redundant Conversations: The Never-Ending Loop
Redundant conversations are those that repeat information or arguments that have already been covered. It's like watching the same scene play out multiple times, which can be incredibly tedious for the audience.
Example:
Character A: "We can't trust him! He betrayed us before!"
Character B: "But he says he's changed! We need his help!"
Character A: "I don't care! He's a liar! We can't trust him!"
Character B: "But what if he's telling the truth? We'll be doomed without him!"
This conversation goes around in circles, with the characters rehashing the same arguments over and over again. It doesn't move the plot forward or reveal anything new about the characters.
Why it's pointless: The characters are stuck in a loop, repeating the same points without making any progress. It's frustrating for the audience to watch.
How to fix it: If you need to revisit a previous argument, make sure to introduce a new element or perspective. Perhaps a new piece of information comes to light, or a character has a change of heart. The conversation should lead to a decision or a shift in the characters' relationships.
Unrealistic Small Talk: The Inappropriate Chit-Chat
While some small talk is natural in real life, it can feel out of place in a story if it doesn't serve a purpose. Especially when there are more pressing matters at hand, characters engaging in casual conversation can feel tonally inconsistent and even a bit absurd.
Example:
(Characters are being chased by a monster)
Character A: "Wow, this is quite a workout! Have you been hitting the gym lately?"
Character B: "Not as much as I should. I've been meaning to try that new spin class, though."
This dialogue is completely out of place given the situation. The characters are in immediate danger, so chatting about their fitness routines feels absurd and unrealistic.
Why it's pointless: The conversation has nothing to do with the plot or the characters' immediate goals. It's a distraction from the main action.
How to fix it: Make sure the dialogue is appropriate for the situation. If characters are in a stressful or dangerous situation, their conversations should reflect that. Even small talk can be used to reveal character traits or build tension if it's done well.
Overly Formal or Stilted Language: The Robot Speak
Characters who speak in a way that's unnatural or overly formal can sound like robots rather than real people. This can make it difficult for the audience to connect with them.
Example:
Character A: "I must protest your actions! They are most egregious and will not be tolerated!"
Character B: "I beg your pardon, but I assure you my intentions are entirely honorable!"
This dialogue is overly formal and stilted. People don't typically speak like this in real life, unless they're in a very specific formal setting.
Why it's pointless: The language is unnatural and doesn't reflect how real people communicate. It creates distance between the characters and the audience.
How to fix it: Use language that's appropriate for the characters and the situation, but avoid being overly formal or stilted. Dialogue should sound natural and conversational.
Dialogue That Doesn't Match the Character: The Out-of-Character Utterance
If a character suddenly starts speaking in a way that's inconsistent with their established personality, it can feel jarring and unrealistic. It's important to maintain consistency in your characters' voices.
Example:
(A shy and introverted character suddenly delivers a dramatic monologue)
Character A: "I have been silent for too long! But now, I will unleash my fury upon you! You will rue the day you crossed me!"
This dialogue is completely out of character for a shy and introverted person. It's unlikely they would suddenly start speaking in such a dramatic and aggressive way unless there was a very compelling reason.
Why it's pointless: The dialogue doesn't match the character's established personality, making it feel forced and unnatural.
How to fix it: Make sure your characters' dialogue is consistent with their personalities and backgrounds. If you want a character to act out of character, make sure there's a clear motivation and build-up to it.
How to Write Dialogue That Matters
Now that we've explored what pointless dialogue looks like, let's talk about how to write dialogue that actually enhances your story. The key is to make every line of dialogue count.
Give Every Line a Purpose
Before you write a line of dialogue, ask yourself: What is this line accomplishing? Is it:
- Advancing the plot?
- Revealing character?
- Building relationships?
- Creating conflict or tension?
- Adding to the overall tone or theme?
If the answer is no to all of these, then the line is probably unnecessary.
Show, Don't Tell
This is a classic writing adage, and it applies to dialogue as well. Instead of having characters explicitly state their feelings or motivations, try to show it through their actions and subtext. Subtext is the unspoken meaning behind the words – what a character is really saying versus what they're saying on the surface. It's a powerful tool for creating depth and nuance in your dialogue.
Example (Telling):
Character A: "I'm so angry at you!"
Example (Showing):
Character A: "(Slamming a fist on the table) That's just great. Just great."
In the second example, we don't need the character to explicitly say they're angry. Their actions and tone convey their emotions much more effectively.
Listen to Real Conversations
One of the best ways to improve your dialogue writing is to listen to real conversations. Pay attention to how people actually talk – their rhythms, their word choices, their pauses, their hesitations. Notice how people use slang, idioms, and other conversational quirks. The more you listen, the better you'll become at writing dialogue that sounds natural and authentic.
Read Your Dialogue Out Loud
This is a simple but incredibly effective technique. Reading your dialogue out loud can help you catch awkward phrasing, unnatural rhythms, and other issues that you might not notice on the page. It's like giving your dialogue a voice test.
Cut the Fat
Finally, don't be afraid to cut dialogue that isn't working. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your story is to trim the excess. If a scene feels slow or clunky, take a hard look at the dialogue and see if there are any lines or exchanges that can be cut without affecting the story. Less is often more when it comes to dialogue.
In Conclusion: Dialogue with a Purpose
Pointless dialogue is a common pitfall in writing, but it's one that can be avoided with a little bit of awareness and effort. By understanding the characteristics of bad dialogue and focusing on writing dialogue that serves a purpose, you can create conversations that enhance your story, reveal your characters, and captivate your audience. So, next time you're writing a scene, ask yourself: Is this dialogue necessary? Is it adding value? If the answer is yes, then you're on the right track. If not, it might be time to cut the fat and focus on writing dialogue that truly matters.