Communication Quote by Peter H. Johnston
![“When you added dialogue to your piece, I really understood how Amy [the character] felt.” This is not so much praise as a causal statement—you did this [added dialogue], with this consequence [I understood how the character felt]. Causal process statements are at the heart of building agency.” quote by Peter H. Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0c8/peter-h-johnston-19611_communication_when-you-added-dialogue-to-your-piece-i_2002675.jpg)
““When you added dialogue to your piece, I really understood how Amy [the character] felt.” This is not so much praise as a causal statement—you did this [added dialogue], with this consequence [I understood how the character felt]. Causal process statements are at the heart of building agency.””
About This Quote
Source Workshop: Writing Dialogue, Peter H. Johnston, 2021
Adding dialogue can reveal character emotions, making the narrative more immediate and giving readers agency to understand.
In simple terms: Dialogue shows character feeling; it creates cause and effect.
Key Takeaway
Use dialogue to convey inner states.
Themes
communication
character
agency
causality
Mood
practical
instructive
Type
educational
craft‑focused
When to use this quote
- screenwriting
- novel drafting
- character workshops
- creative exercises
Key Concepts
narrative technique
psychology
empathy
Questions to Reflect On
- What moments benefit most from dialogue?
- How does dialogue shape reader perception?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on dialogue may neglect other narrative tools.
