Writing the Dialogue
Writing dialogue is just the opposite of writing a business letter or an article. Screenwriters are not paid by the word but by the image, emotion and reaction their writing creates in the mind of the reader.
Listen to people talk on the street. They don't speak like college professors.
Here's a basic example of what to avoid in a screenplay:
EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY
(EXT. means exterior)
Caden and Emily wait for the bus. He checks her out.
CADEN
Did your teachers give you a lot of homework today?
I have math, science and English.
EMILY
Not really. I only have algebra and history.
CADEN
Okay.
Now let's spice it up by adding a message for the reader to pick up (it also gives the actor something creative to build on):
EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY
Caden and Emily wait for the bus. He checks her out.
EMILY
What?
CADEN
Did your teachers give you a lot of homework today?
I have math, science and English.
EMILY
Caden, you don't look at a girl like that and ask her if she's
got homework.
CADEN
Yeah, I, uh...
Caden breaks eye contact and looks to see if the bus is coming. She glances at him, holding herself back.
EMILY
I only have algebra and history, and the dance
is this weekend.
She waits for his response.
What's the message?
Does anything make you wonder or become curious?