The common order for how to format dialogue in a screenplay is a character cue in capitals, an optional parenthetical, then the spoken line. Dialogue is not put in quotation marks.

For the rest of the page layout, use the screenplay format guide. The example below shows how a speech continues around an action line.

How do you format a line of dialogue?

Dialogue
Dialogue is the words characters speak aloud, commonly placed beneath the speaker’s name in a column narrower than action. In the example, Maya asks her roommate about rent.
Character cue
A character cue is the speaker’s name, commonly written in capitals above their dialogue. MAYA identifies who speaks in the example.
Parenthetical
A parenthetical is a short direction in parentheses, commonly placed between the cue and dialogue. Use it sparingly for unclear tone or action, such as directing Maya’s words toward the hallway.

Format a speech

  1. Write the character cue

    Put the speaker’s name above the speech, commonly in capitals.

  2. Add a parenthetical only if needed

    Place a brief direction beneath the cue, commonly inside parentheses. Leave it out when the words already convey the delivery.

  3. Write the spoken words

    Place dialogue below the cue or parenthetical, commonly in a narrower column than action. Do not wrap the speech in quotation marks.

  4. Separate visible action

    Put a visible movement in an action line. When the same speaker resumes, (CONT'D) commonly appears beside the repeated cue.

ExampleRent day

INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN - MORNING

MAYA, still in her work clothes, checks her phone beside the sink.

MAYA

(to the hallway)

The rent came out today.

Maya turns her phone facedown.

MAYA (CONT'D)

Can you send your share?

The parenthetical tells you where Maya directs her words without prescribing an emotion. For choosing what she says, use the guide to writing screenplay dialogue.

How do O.S. and V.O. work?

O.S. and V.O.
O.S. and V.O. are markers commonly distinguishing a speaker off camera within the scene from a voice outside the scene. Maya’s unseen roommate answering from the hallway would use O.S.; narration would use V.O.

Phone-voice usage varies. The guide to O.S. and V.O. explains the distinction in more detail.

What are CONT'D and MORE?

CONT'D
CONT'D is short for continued, commonly appearing beside a cue when the same character resumes after action or a page break. Maya’s repeated cue uses it after she turns her phone over.
MORE
MORE is a marker commonly placed at the bottom of a page when dialogue continues onto the next page. If Maya’s speech crossed a page break, (MORE) would appear at the bottom; screenwriting software commonly adds this automatically.

How do you show an interruption or overlap?

A double hyphen (--) commonly marks an interrupted line; an ellipsis (...) commonly marks a voice trailing off. Use the double hyphen if Maya’s roommate cuts her off before she finishes asking.

Dual dialogue
Dual dialogue is a layout that commonly presents simultaneous speech in side-by-side columns. Use it when overlap matters, such as roommates making competing excuses without listening.

Start writing →