--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no such thing as realistic…" description: "\"There is no such thing as realistic dialogue. If you [simply recorded] the real conversation of any people and played it back from the stage, it would ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab6/joseph-l-mankiewicz-29724_communication_there-is-no-such-thing-as-realistic-dial_1192941.jpg" --- # There is no such thing as realistic dialogue. If you… ![“There is no such thing as realistic dialogue. If you [simply recorded] the real conversation of any people and played it back from the stage, it would be impossible to listen to. It would be redundant . . . . The good dialogue writer is the one who can give you the impression of real speech.” quote by Joseph L. Mankiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab6/joseph-l-mankiewicz-29724_communication_there-is-no-such-thing-as-realistic-dial_1192941.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab6/joseph-l-mankiewicz-29724_communication_there-is-no-such-thing-as-realistic-dial_1192941.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab6/joseph-l-mankiewicz-29724_communication_there-is-no-such-thing-as-realistic-dial_1192941.jpg) > “There is no such thing as realistic dialogue. If you \[simply recorded\] the real conversation of any people and played it back from the stage, it would be impossible to listen to. It would be redundant . . . . The good dialogue writer is the one who can give you the impression of real speech.” [Joseph L. Mankiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-l-mankiewicz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Real dialogue feels messy; good writing creates believable speech through crafted impression. **In simple terms:** Real speech is messy; good writing feels real. Key Takeaway Craft dialogue that feels natural but purposeful. Themes writing dialogue theatre Mood analytical creative Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - screenwriting - theatre - teaching - public speaking Key Concepts authenticity craftsmanship Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide what to trim? - What makes dialogue feel alive? A Different Perspective Over‑editing can make dialogue sound artificial. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Dialogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dialogue/) [Dialogue Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dialogue-writer-642547/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Impossible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossible/) [Impression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impression/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-conversation/) [Real Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-speech-1261110/) [Realistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realistic/) [Realistic Dialogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realistic-dialogue-2951725/) [Redundant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/redundant/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [In fiction, I tend to write fairly realistic dialogue-not always, and it tends to vary from book to book. 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I just wanted to have really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/i-didn-t-necessarily-have-a-total-idea-when-i-was-writing-the-movie/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Good dialogue is not real speech-it's the illusion of real speech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/good-dialogue-is-not-real-speech-it-s-the-illusion-of-real-speech/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Real speech can only come from complete silence. Incomplete silence is as fussy as deliberate conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-richardson/real-speech-can-only-come-from-complete-silence-incomplete-silence-is/) [Dorothy Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-richardson/) > [“Soul can’t exist unless you have active, meaningful dialogue with stakeholders: employees, customers, the community, suppliers, and investors. 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