* A new speaker begins talking.
* There is a significant change in the topic of conversation.
* There is a long pause in the conversation.
* A new scene begins.
Starting a new paragraph for dialogue helps to make the text easier to read and understand. It also helps to create a visual distinction between the different speakers and topics of conversation.
Here are some examples of when to start a new paragraph for dialogue:
* New speaker:
> "Hello," said the man. "My name is John."
>
> "It's nice to meet you, John," said the woman. "My name is Mary."
* Significant change in topic:
> "So, what do you do for a living?" asked John.
>
> "I'm a teacher," said Mary. "I teach English at the local high school."
>
> "That's interesting," said John. "I'm a doctor."
* Long pause in conversation:
> John and Mary sat in silence for a moment.
>
> Finally, John spoke up. "I think I should go," he said.
>
> "Okay," said Mary. "I understand."
* New scene begins:
> John walked out of the restaurant and into the night.
>
> He took a deep breath of the fresh air and started to walk home.
>
> As he walked, he thought about his conversation with Mary.
By following these guidelines, you can help to make your writing more clear and engaging for your readers.