Ask Dr. Format: CAPS, ITALICS, DASHES AND ELLIPSES

DAVE TROTTIER sold or optioned ten screenplays (three produced) and helped hundreds of writers break into the writing business.  He was an award-winning teacher and script consultant, author of The Screenwriter’s Bible.  Read more tips on the Ask Dr. Format page. 

Dr. Format

CAPS, ITALICS, DASHES AND ELLIPSES

QUESTION

When do I use a dash or an ellipsis in dialogue? Also, are there guidelines for emphasizing a word or phrase in a speech? For example, do I use italics or all-CAPS to emphasize that word or phrase?

ANSWER

As a general guideline for dialogue, do not place any words in all-CAPS or italics. The exceptions are song lyrics and the words of text messages, when written in this manner:

                    JOHN (TEXT)
          I luv U.

If you must emphasize a word or phrase of dialogue, underscore it. Also, never use more than one exclamation point at the end of a sentence, and use exclamation points sparingly. Your dialogue should not look like a want ad!!!!

If a character interrupts or is interrupted, use a dash to show that interruption. To show continuity of thought, use an ellipsis. What follows is an example of Mary interrupting John and then John continuing Mary's sentence.

                    JOHN
          What I want --

                    MARY
          -- Don't tell me what you... ah..

                   JOHN
          ... want?

To be honest, in dialogue punctuation, these two punctuation marks are often used interchangeable. However, if you use them for specific purposes in your script, you will enhance your ability to communicate your story.

GOING CAPS CRAZY

QUESTION

[In narrative description] should my characters' names ALWAYS appear in all-CAPS, or only at first mention?

ANSWER

Place the individual character's name in all-CAPS only when he or she first physically appears in the screenplay. That means you don't need to place the name in all-CAPS when the person is mentioned in dialogue, nor do you need to place the name in all-CAPS after that first time that she first physically appears.

Keep in mind that CAPS are hard to read, so don't go CAPS crazy. Character first appearances and rare technical/camera directions are the only instances where all-CAPS must be used in narrative description. You may place SOUNDS in all-CAPS if you wish, but do not place props or objects in all-CAPS.

INSERTION ORDER

QUESTION

Must I always use an INSERT for a close-up? For example, do I have to use the INSERT for the following:

INSERT – A COFFEE MUG, which reads:

          "To protect and serve."

BACK TO SCENE

ANSWER

Although the above is perfectly correct and perfectly okay to use, you are free to use the following method, which is also correct:

A coffee mug reads, "To protect and serve."

When faced with a choice like this, opt for the simplest version as long as it is clear. In this case, it is. And keep writing.