Dialogue is an essential component of a story, sometimes moving the plot along better than action! Many people even write books without action at all, only using speech.

However, a lot of writers mess up their dialogue. Here, I've outlined some common mistakes that I've found.

Incorrect: "Dogs are a favourite with kids" the shop owner assured.

Correct: There needs to be some sort of punctuation at the end of the quotation. Revised version: "Dogs are a favourite with kids," the shop owner assured.

Incorrect: Her step grazed the outer edge of the sidewalk, her glimmering eyes saluting her companion's. "Do you think there's anything worthwhile on the television right now?" she questioned, dismissing a pebble to frolic in the street. "Maybe, but my dad's probably watching American football like some Yank." A chuckle untied itself from his trachea, and his gaze fell to the pavement as they neared the bungalow.

Correct: When someone else speaks or completes an action, a new paragraph is required.

Revised version:
     Her step grazed the outer edge of the sidewalk, her glimmering eyes saluting her companion's. "Do you think there's anything worthwhile on the television right now?" she questioned, dismissing a pebble to frolick in the street.
     "Maybe, but my dad's probably watching American football like some Yank." A chuckle untied itself from his trachea, and his gaze fell to the pavement as they neared the bungalow.

Incorrect: "Can I play the piano with you?" He inquired.

Correct: Remember that speech flows into the speaker tag, as well, and we've all been taught to only capitalise letters if they begin a sentence or are proper nouns, but 'He' in that dialogue tag is neither, so it is not capitalised. Same applies for any punctuation before the end quotation. Revised version: "Can I play the piano with you?" he inquired.

Incorrect: "The guests will arrive at noon." she announces.

Correct: If you end your dialogue with a period but intend to use a speaker tag, you must replace the period with a comma, because the quote and the tag are one entity altogether. Revised version: "The guests will arrive at noon," she announces.

Incorrect: "Will you have lunch with me?" "I have a business meeting, sorry."

Correct: You need a new paragraph when each person speaks.

Revised version:
"Will you have lunch with me?"
"I have a business meeting, sorry."

Hopefully that cleared up the mistakes!