# How to write natural dialogue without info dumps **Quick answer:** Keep the words characters need to get something from each other. Cut empty greetings, turn background facts into points of disagreement, and read the exchange aloud. Source: https://scriptsolo.com/blog/how-to-write-natural-dialogue/ · Scriptsolo · Updated 2026-11-09 Natural dialogue is commonly edited speech: shorter, more selective, and more indirect than real conversation. When deciding how to write natural dialogue, keep what serves your character's purpose and cut what merely fills the conversation. For the wider craft, read the [guide to writing screenplay dialogue](https://scriptsolo.com/guides/how-to-write-screenplay-dialogue/), part of the [screenwriting guides](https://scriptsolo.com/guides/). **Edit a conversation into natural dialogue** 1. **Name what each speaker wants.** Give each person something to seek or avoid. Tess wants the rent money; Mara wants to finish packing without paying. 2. **Cut greetings that change nothing.** Writers commonly remove greetings, goodbyes, and small talk that carry no conflict. Start this exchange with Tess noticing the kettle going into Mara's box. 3. **Give each fact a reason to be spoken.** Writers commonly give information a purpose and someone who resists it. Have Tess demand the rent money rather than explain their living arrangement. 4. **Cut explanations the action already supplies.** Let Mara's packing show that she's leaving. Keep her dialogue focused on avoiding Tess's demand. 5. **Read the exchange aloud.** Notice where a phrase makes your mouth stumble. Replace formal wording with words this character would choose while packing or arguing. ## How do you avoid an info dump? **Information dump** (also called Info dump): An [information dump](https://scriptsolo.com/glossary/) is a speech whose main purpose is to tell the audience facts. In this exchange, Tess needs money before Mara leaves. That gives her a reason to mention rent, but not to explain that they're roommates. **Before:** Before: explaining what both roommates know ``` INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN - DAY MARA packs a kettle into a box. TESS enters. TESS Hello, Mara. How are you? MARA I'm fine, thanks. As you know, I'm moving out of our shared apartment today. TESS Yes, and the rent is due. You haven't given me your rent money, which I need before you leave. MARA I intend to send it after I have finished moving. ``` **After:** After: using the facts to demand something ``` INT. APARTMENT KITCHEN - DAY MARA lowers a kettle into a packing box. TESS catches the handle. TESS You're taking the kettle? MARA It's mine. TESS Rent's due. MARA I was going to-- TESS Leave the money. MARA I'll send it. TESS Before you take the kettle. Mara sets the kettle on the counter. Tess keeps hold of the handle. ``` The edited version keeps the unpaid rent and removes the explanation of their shared home. Tess now uses that fact to hold up Mara's departure. Mara's promise answers the demand without agreeing to pay before leaving. A double hyphen commonly marks an interruption. Here, Tess cuts off Mara's explanation. ## How do you test dialogue by reading it aloud? Read for what each speaker is trying to get, not just whether the words sound conversational. In the original exchange, Mara's formal promise explains her plan; in the revision, it tries to get Tess's hand off the kettle. Listen for lines that explain the situation but give the other person nothing to answer. [Start writing](https://scriptsolo.com/signup/) ## Frequently asked questions ### Should characters use contractions? Use contractions when they fit the character's voice. Read the contracted and uncontracted versions aloud, then choose the wording that suits what the speaker wants. ### How do I write dialogue for a character who is lying? Decide what the character wants the listener to believe, then write toward that goal. Let a roommate discuss packing while avoiding a direct answer about the missing rent money.