Learn to Use the Three Layers of Dialogue Text Context and Subtext Effectively

by MaryAnn Diorio @DrMaryAnnDiorio

Much has been written on how to write dialogue but, to my knowledge, less has been written on the components of dialogue. This post will explore these components and the reasons it is important to understand them. 

So, first, the three components of dialogue are Text, Context, and Subtext. These three components function much like the three parts of a syllogism: Major Premise, Minor Premise, and Conclusion. 

With that parallel in mind, let's take a closer look at Text, Context, and Subtext.

TEXT

Text is the major premise. Just as the syllogistic major premise is the foundation of the logical argument, Text is the foundation of the fictional argument. Text is that component of story that tells the reader what happened. It is the bare facts. It is everything on the page that is not implied but stated straightforwardly. Text does not need interpretation. It marks the obvious, what is clearly understood from any angle. Like the major premise in a syllogism, Text is fact, albeit story fact, in its most elemental form.

Of the three components, Text is the easiest to understand. It is also the all-encompassing foundation of a story in the sense that both Context and Subtext are contained within Text and rest upon it, just as the minor premise and the conclusion are contained within the major premise and rest upon it. Without the major premise, we could have no minor premise or conclusion. Likewise, without Text, we could have no Context or Subtext.

CONTEXT

As its meaning implies, Context is what goes with Text. The word context derives from two Latin words: cum (meaning with) and texere (meaning to weave). So, Context is a weaving with Text. 

Context includes all the information a reader needs to understand the story. Context includes who the characters are, whatthey are doing, where they are doing it, when they are doing it, and so forth. Context is the supporting actor to Text. 

Context is essential to the reader's engagement with a story. Just as the minor premise informs the major premise with deeper understanding, so does Context inform Text with deeper understanding. In a syllogism, when there is no minor premise to give deeper understanding to the major premise, the logician will feel disoriented and disengaged from the argument. Likewise, without Context to give deeper understanding to the story, the reader will feel disoriented and disengaged from the story. 

SUBTEXT

Whereas Context is the information surrounding a story and grounding the reader, Subtext is what the reader reads between the lines. It is what a character does NOT say but what a character implies. Subtext is beneath the surface (The Latin word sub means under). In Subtext, what is on the surface does not match what is beneath the surface. What is going on with the character on the outside is at odds with what is going on with the character on the inside.

Subtext adds depth and dimension to a story, making it solid and well-rounded. But, it is the job of the reader to pick up subtext. When Subtext is written well, the reader will usually have no problem recognizing it.

Example:

Mom reprimanded five-year-old Mandy for getting into her lipstick. "You're too young to wear lipstick." Mom's lips could not suppress a smile.

In this story snippet, we know that Mom's reprimand (external) contradicts her amusement (internal). That contradiction is made clear by the juxtaposition of the dialogue (Text) with the description of Mom's reaction (Subtext). 

We adults employ Subtext daily in real life, and so should our characters. For example, unlike children who are blunt in their communication (A precious child once told me I was "ancient." :)), we adults would say something like, "You're seasoned and mature."

Subtext enriches a story and enables the reader to participate more fully in it. Use it well with Text and Context and you will create a compelling story that will keep your readers turning pages and your characters lingering long in their minds and hearts.

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Learn to Use the Three Layers of Dialogue Text Context and Subtext Effectively from @DrMaryAnnDiorio on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

MaryAnn Diorio writes women’s fiction from a small, quaint, Victorian town in southern New Jersey where neighbors still stop to chat while walking their dogs, houses still sport wide, wrap-around porches, and the charming downtown still finds kids licking lollipops and old married folks holding hands. A true Jersey girl, MaryAnn is a big fan of Jersey diners, Jersey tomatoes, and the Jersey shore.

Featured Image: Photo by Sergey Zolkin on Unsplash