Dialogue

1. Definition

A dialogue is a literary technique in which writers employ two or more characters to be

engaged in conversation with one another. In literature, it is a conversational passage, or a spoken or
written exchange of conversation in a group, or between two persons directed towards a particular
subject. The use of dialogues can be seen back in classical literature, especially in Plato’s Republic.
Several other philosophers also used this technique for rhetorical and argumentative purposes.
Generally, it makes a literary work enjoyable and lively.

2. Type of dialogue

There are two types of dialogue in literature:

 Inner Dialogue – In inner dialogue, the characters speak to themselves and reveal their
personalities. To use inner dialogue, writers employ literary techniques like stream of
consciousness or dramatic monologue. We often find such dialogues in the works of James
Joyce, Virginia Wolf, and William Faulkner.
 Outer Dialogue – Outer dialogue is a simple conversation between two characters, used in
almost all types of fictional works.

3. example
.1
Tim : What do you think about the film?
Amy : ... . The ending is too obvious.
A. It's amazing
B. It's confusing
C. It's surprising
D. It's disappointing
Pembahasan :
ASKING ABOUT OPINION
Dalam dialog diatas antara Tim dan Amy, Tim menanyakan opini tentang film. Kata kunci dari
jawaban diatas adalah kata "obvious" yang berarti "jelas". Sehingga respon Amy adalah amazing yang
berarti mengagumkan.
Jawaban : A
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Soal No. 2
Adhi : I'm very tired of having non- stop walking for an hour. I feel thirsty.
Dhina : ...
Adhi : That's very kind of you.
A. Can you give me a bottle of milk?
B. Would you like to have some cakes?
C. Would you like some mineral water?
D. Do you want to have some cake?
Pembahasan :
OFFERING SOMETHING
Dalam dialog, Adhi merasakan haus ditandai dengan kata "thirsty". Antara jawaban A, B, C, dan D,
yang paling tepat dalam ungkapan menawarkan minuman adalah "Would you like some mineral
water?"
Jawaban : C
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Soal No. 3
Teacher : What is your plan for this coming year?
Student : ..., sir.
Teacher : Then, you must work hard and prepare yourself right away.
A. I'm thinking about getting a job
B. I'm confused what I'll do
C. I'll visit my grandmother
D. I'll prepare it next year
Pembahasan :
PLAN IN THE FUTURE
Dalam dialog diatas, Guru menanyakan pada siswa tentang rencana yang akan datang, Dari pilihan
jawaban, yang paling tepat adalah jawaban "I'm thinking about getting job" karena apabila dilihat
dari respon guru selanjutnya, guru tersebut memberikan saran agar bekerja dengan keras dan
mempersiapkan dengan baik (you must work hard and prepare yourself right away)
Jawaban : A
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Soal No. 4
Beny : Where did you go on your last holiday?
Yany : ...
Beny : Yeah. It was a great place.
A. I have a great holiday
B. I went to Pindul cave
C. We were very happy there
D. We are going to Maninjau lake.
Pembahasan :
PAST ACTIVITY
Beny menanyakan pada Yany tentang aktifitasnya pada liburan yang lalu. Respon yang tepat adalah
pilihan jawaban "I went to Pindul cave", kaarena menggunakan bentuk Past tense yaitu kata kerja
bentuk kedua "went". Ditambah lagi respon dari Beny kemudian yang menunjukkan suatu respon
positif tentang tempat tersebut.
Jawaban : B
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Soal No. 5
Reza : Hmmm. It's almost 12 a.m now.
Anwar : ...?
Reza : No, thanks. I dislike eating meat quite much.
A. What would you like to have for lunch
B. Would you like some steak for lunch
C. Why don't we eat at the restaurant
D. Could you bring something to eat
Pembahasan :
OFFERING SOMETHING
Dari dialog diatas antara Anwar dan Reza, bisa dilihat dari respon Reza pada kalimat yang akhir
bahwa dia menolak ( refuse) tentang tawaran dari Anwar. kata kunci yang tepat dalam diaolg diatas
adalah kata "meat". Dan kata kunci tersebut berhubungan dengan kata "steak" pada jawaban B.
Jawaban : B
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