Use Interesting Verbs to Improve Written Dialogue

When we write stories we often include dialogue (people talking to each other).

Look at this conversation:

"Eat your dinner," said Mum.

"No!" said Poppy. "I won't!"

"If you don't do as you're told you will have to go to bed," said Mum.

"I don't care!" said Poppy. "I'd rather go to bed than eat peas!"

The word 'said' has been used four times, but it's not the best verb to use because it doesn't tell us how Poppy and her mother were talking.

There are many better words we could use instead.

For example:

"Eat your dinner," ordered Mum.

"No!", declared Poppy. "I won't!"

"If you don't do as you're told you will have to go to bed," warned Mum.

"I don't care!" screamed Poppy. "I'd rather go to bed than eat peas!"

In this activity, we will practise choosing more exciting verbs to use for dialogue.

You may find a dictionary helpful if you don't know what some of the words mean.