The following list was made up of various members of the forum on how to use simple formatting in dialogue to add to the effect on the reader.
How can I make it look like a character is having a personal thought, rather than talking aloud?
1) Tint the screen a pastel colour or grey during the moment of thought.
2) Have the character deliberately face away from the character they were previously talking to.
3) Change the standard position that you usually display text to a new position and/or make the textbox transparent
4) Put the personal thought in brackets [like this...]
5) Have the personal thoughts written in an italic formatting.
How can I make it seem as though one character is interrupting another?
1) Use one or two dash symbols after the cut off point in the interruption
i.e. So what if I'm a --
2) Using dubealex's message system, use this \~ symbol, to automatically close the message box.
How can I make it seem as though a character is performing an action?
1) Incorporate it into the text, via the characters.
i.e. Ouch! Why'd you pinch me!?
2) Use character movement, sound effects and new sprites poses.
3) Put a description of the action inside <these symbols>.
How can I show a character expressing a particular emotion?
1) Use emoticon bubbles above the player, they work best as animations.
2) Consider using facesets/character art to accompany messages.
3) Use different sprite poses.
i.e. Arms folded for angry, Hands over face for sad
How can I show extra bits of non-crucial text in the dialogue?
1) Put the extra bit of text inside (these symbols).
What can capital letters be used for?
1) To demonstrate a sudden rise in tone.
2) To emphasis a single word in a sentence.
i.e I'm not THAT ugly
What can I use text in different colours for?
Different colours can express different moods.
Blue - Cold, Sad, Restful, Serene, Calm
Red - Angry. Exciting, Passionate, Powerful
Green -Envy, Tranquil, Earthly, Financial
Yellow - Joy, Warmth, Playful, Luight
Orange - Warm, Friendly, Dry
Purple - Mysterious, Elegant, Fantasy, Evil
Pink - Romantic, Feminine
1) Tint the screen in a hue of these colours do express that mood
2) Have the actual environment built around this setting for a theme.
3) Change the font colour to express the mood.
What should I use different font sizes for?
1) Increase the font size to show a raised tone or emphasis.
2) Decrease the font size to show a lowered tone or whispering.
Credits
Calibre
Ambience
Despain
BlackStaticWolf
Alastyr
Vorlath
The Cry of Fallen Angels
Marcus
If you wish to add anything to the list, please do post your suggestions.
Also, if I have forgotten to add you to the credits, please don't hesitate to tell me.
How can I make it look like a character is having a personal thought, rather than talking aloud?
1) Tint the screen a pastel colour or grey during the moment of thought.
2) Have the character deliberately face away from the character they were previously talking to.
3) Change the standard position that you usually display text to a new position and/or make the textbox transparent
4) Put the personal thought in brackets [like this...]
5) Have the personal thoughts written in an italic formatting.
How can I make it seem as though one character is interrupting another?
1) Use one or two dash symbols after the cut off point in the interruption
i.e. So what if I'm a --
2) Using dubealex's message system, use this \~ symbol, to automatically close the message box.
How can I make it seem as though a character is performing an action?
1) Incorporate it into the text, via the characters.
i.e. Ouch! Why'd you pinch me!?
2) Use character movement, sound effects and new sprites poses.
3) Put a description of the action inside <these symbols>.
How can I show a character expressing a particular emotion?
1) Use emoticon bubbles above the player, they work best as animations.
2) Consider using facesets/character art to accompany messages.
3) Use different sprite poses.
i.e. Arms folded for angry, Hands over face for sad
How can I show extra bits of non-crucial text in the dialogue?
1) Put the extra bit of text inside (these symbols).
What can capital letters be used for?
1) To demonstrate a sudden rise in tone.
2) To emphasis a single word in a sentence.
i.e I'm not THAT ugly
What can I use text in different colours for?
Different colours can express different moods.
Blue - Cold, Sad, Restful, Serene, Calm
Red - Angry. Exciting, Passionate, Powerful
Green -Envy, Tranquil, Earthly, Financial
Yellow - Joy, Warmth, Playful, Luight
Orange - Warm, Friendly, Dry
Purple - Mysterious, Elegant, Fantasy, Evil
Pink - Romantic, Feminine
1) Tint the screen in a hue of these colours do express that mood
2) Have the actual environment built around this setting for a theme.
3) Change the font colour to express the mood.
What should I use different font sizes for?
1) Increase the font size to show a raised tone or emphasis.
2) Decrease the font size to show a lowered tone or whispering.
Credits
Calibre
Ambience
Despain
BlackStaticWolf
Alastyr
Vorlath
The Cry of Fallen Angels
Marcus
If you wish to add anything to the list, please do post your suggestions.
Also, if I have forgotten to add you to the credits, please don't hesitate to tell me.