DIALOGUE

"Ayuh!"

Task - Learn about Maine Humor and write an authentic, humorous well-written Maine dialogue

Procedure

1. Read Maine Humor stories and complete the Maine Humor websearch

2. Read the "Black Fly Festival" in Maine Speaks and complete the "Black Fly"questions

3. Learn about dialogue & write a Maine Dialogue of 200+ words (see below)

4. View a video of real Maine Humor by Tim Sample (Behind the Barn)

Describe 3 characteristics of Maine Humor.

Background about Dialogue:

I. Important Vocabulary:

Dialogue - a conversation between two or more people.

Monologue – a conversation by one person.

Dialect – a regional way of speaking

Jargon – use of specialized vocabulary

II. Keep in mind the three basic rules of punctuating dialogue:

A. Place spoken words in quotation marks.

"Ayuh, that's right, " she agreed.

B. Start each spoken sentence with a capital letter.

He replied, "Don't you know that rule?"

C. Begin a new paragraph with each speaker.

"I'm goin' rollah-skatin' on Friday," he announced. "Y'all goin’? I think it'll be wicked fun."

"You bet! Wouldn't miss it! Everybody’s gonna be there,” she answered as she wrote the date in her personal planner.
"Wooee, I gotta see that," he vowed.

***** Do not punctuate indirect conversation:

I wondered what time it was.

III. Practice punctuating these sentences (add capitals where needed):

1. yes; sir, I will do it immediately promised the cadet

2. how, I asked can you always be so forgetful

3. stop it I screamed don’t ever do that again

4. my dad shouted I would like to have an explanation for the missing cash

5. would you like to accompany me he asked

6. he wondered if he could be excused

IV. Assignment: Write a page of dialogue (or a story with dialogue) between two people.
One person must have a Maine dialect.

GRADING RUBRIC HERE

Remember the characteristics of Maine dialect:
    improper grammar        - "They was comin' down the street."
    jargon                         - "It's wicked hot, ayuh."
    the "r" issue               - "Good idea-r to pahk the cah ovah thay-ah."

Choose from this list of ideas or make up your own topic.

A. Two people are discussing the weather forecast.

B. A student approaches a coach and asks why he/she is not playing very much.

C. Two friends disagree about what the homework assignment is.

D. Two good friends are trying to decide what to do on a Saturday afternoon.

E. Two kids are trying to decide what to do after school.

F. Two skiers/boarders are debating which trail to take.

G. Two friends are trying to decide where to go shopping.