How to Write Dialogue in a Screenplay: Format, V.O., O.S. and Craft Tips

Quick answer: In a screenplay, dialogue sits under the character's name in capitals, in a narrow centred block. Add extensions after the name for voice-over (V.O.), off-screen speech (O.S.) and continued speech (CONT'D), and use a short parenthetical only when the line's meaning would be unclear. Good dialogue is short, specific to the character, and carries subtext — what the character wants without saying it directly.

Key takeaways

• Dialogue block: about 2.5" from the left edge and roughly 3.5" wide.

• V.O. = speaker not in the scene (narration, phone voice); O.S. = in the scene but not in frame.

• Keep most speeches to three or four lines; break long speeches with action.

• Write subtext — people rarely say exactly what they feel.

• Read every scene aloud before calling it finished.

How do you format dialogue?

MEERA
(not looking up)
You came back.

RAVI
The bus was late.

MEERA
For three years?

The character name goes in capitals, the parenthetical (if any) beneath it, and the dialogue beneath that. Never put action inside a parenthetical; if a character does something significant, write it as an action line.

What do V.O., O.S. and CONT'D mean?

• (V.O.) — voice-over: the speaker is not physically in the scene — narration, a voice on a phone, a voice in a character's memory.

• (O.S.) — off-screen: the speaker is in the scene's space but not seen, such as calling from another room. Some scripts use (O.C.), off-camera.

• (CONT'D) — continued: the same character keeps speaking after an action line interrupts. Many apps add it automatically.

• (MORE) / (CONT'D) at page breaks: when dialogue splits across pages, (MORE) appears at the bottom and the name repeats with (CONT'D) at the top.

How do you write phone calls and text messages?

Only one side seen: the unseen caller is (V.O.). Both sides seen: establish both locations, then write INTERCUT - MEERA / RAVI and continue the dialogue without extensions. Texts: show them in action or as an insert: ON PHONE: "Where are you??" — or use a short italic note in the action. Keep the approach consistent throughout the script.

When should you use dual dialogue?

Dual dialogue places two speeches side by side to show people talking over each other. Use it rarely, for overlapping arguments or comic chaos, and keep both speeches short.

How do you write dialogue that sounds real?

1. Give every character a distinct voice. Vocabulary, rhythm, dialect and what they avoid saying. Cover the names and you should still know who is speaking.

2. Write subtext. "For three years?" says far more than "I am angry that you left me."

3. Cut the small talk. Skip greetings and goodbyes unless they reveal something.

4. Use conflict. Every exchange should have someone wanting something from someone else.

5. Avoid "as you know" exposition. Characters should not tell each other what both already know.

6. Let actions answer. Sometimes the best reply is a look or a door closing.

7. Read aloud — or hold a table read — and cut every line that trips the tongue.

How do I write dialogue in Kannada, Hindi or other Indian languages?

Write the dialogue in the language the character speaks, in its own script, and keep character names and extensions in English capitals so formatting and software work. Indian characters switch languages mid-sentence — that is often the most authentic choice. Read our guide to bilingual Kannada–English scripts. In Kathe Kaara, transliteration lets you type Kannada or Hindi dialogue from an English keyboard, and voice dictation lets you speak a line and have it typed into the dialogue element.

Common dialogue mistakes

• Parentheticals on every line — trust the actor.

• Characters using each other's names constantly.

• Speeches longer than half a page without a strong reason.

• Phonetic spelling of accents that makes lines hard to read.

• Everyone sounding like the writer.

Frequently asked questions

Should dialogue be in quotation marks?

No. Screenplay dialogue never uses quotation marks; the format itself shows it is spoken.

What is the difference between V.O. and O.S.?

V.O. means the speaker is not in the scene's location; O.S. means they are there but out of frame.

How long should a monologue be?

Rarely more than half a page to a page. Break it with action beats so the reader can see the scene.

Can I use slang and swearing?

Yes, if it fits the character. Keep spelling readable.

Cover photo: Two people in conversation, the basis of screenplay dialogue — by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash.