Well, one characteristic is that the dialogue drives the plot forward. For example, in 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, the conversations between Mathilde and her friend at the beginning set up the whole situation of her envy and longing for a luxurious life, which leads to the borrowing of the necklace and the subsequent events.
Best dialogue stories can also improve readers' language skills. Since dialogues often use natural and vivid language. If a reader reads a lot of such stories, they can pick up new words, phrases and expressions. They can also learn how to use language in a more effective and communicative way.
One great example could be from the story 'The Little Prince'. The dialogues between the Little Prince and the Fox are very profound. For instance, the Fox says 'It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.' This simple yet deep dialogue makes the story so special.
'A Clean, Well - Lighted Place' by Hemingway is also a great example. The dialogue among the two waiters and the old man in the café reveals different attitudes towards life. The younger waiter is impatient and doesn't understand the old man's need for a clean, well - lighted place at night, while the older waiter has more empathy and understanding.
A boy and a girl meet at a concert. The boy says, 'The music is so loud but amazing!' The girl says, 'I know, this band is my favorite.' They then talk about how they got into the band's music. The boy heard it from his older brother and the girl saw them on TV first.
One of the best ways is to make it natural. Avoid overly formal or stilted language. For example, people often use contractions in real life, so use them in dialogue too. Also, give each character a unique voice. This can be achieved through different word choices, sentence structures, and accents if applicable.
One of the best dialogue novels is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. The conversations between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are sharp, witty, and full of underlying emotions. Another great one is 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger. Holden Caulfield's dialogues give us a deep insight into his troubled mind. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee also has excellent dialogue that reflects the social issues of the time.
To write great dialogue in a novel, it's important to give each character a distinct voice. Consider their background, education, and personality. A well - educated character from a wealthy family might use more formal language and complex sentence structures, while a street - smart character could use slang and shorter, more direct sentences. Also, use dialogue to further the plot. Characters should reveal information, create conflict, or show their relationships through what they say.
To write memorable dialogue, think about the context of the story. If it's a historical setting, use language that is appropriate for that era. This not only makes the dialogue seem more authentic but also more memorable. For instance, in a story set in the Victorian era, characters might use more formal language with archaic words. Also, build on the relationships between characters. If two characters have a long - standing friendship, their dialogue can be full of in - jokes and shared memories, which are very memorable for the reader as they feel like they are getting an inside look at the relationship.
Use subtext. Characters don't always say exactly what they mean. This adds depth to the dialogue. For instance, a character might say 'Sure, that's fine' when they're actually really disappointed. It makes the reader think more about what's really going on.