Actions show what a character does. Dialogue is what a character says. Together, they help us understand a character’s thoughts, feelings, and personality.
Actions and dialogue work as clues. They show, rather than tell, what a character is really like.
Actions reveal a character’s feelings without directly saying them. Readers can understand emotions and motivations through what characters do.
When reading, ask yourself: “What do the character’s actions tell me about their personality or mood?”
Dialogue shows a character’s voice, attitude, and relationships. It can also move the story forward or reveal how characters respond to each other.
Pay attention to the exact words a character uses. Tone and word choice can reveal feelings that actions alone might not show.
When actions and dialogue are used together, they give a clearer picture of the character. Readers learn not only what characters say, but also how they act while speaking.
Always think about both what a character says and what they do. Together, these clues help you understand the full meaning.
Readers use actions and dialogue to make inferences, or educated guesses, about characters. These clues help us see beyond the surface of the story.
Ask yourself: “What do the words and actions together tell me about who this character is?” This strategy helps you read more deeply.