Unit Plan 23 (Grade 8 ELA): Writing Dialogue, Subtext & Scene Craft
8th graders craft realistic narrative scenes by mastering dialogue punctuation, action beats, and subtext. Students use verbals, active or passive voice, and verb mood purposefully to shape tone, deepen characterization, and create a polished, emotionally resonant scene.
Focus: Dialogue punctuation; actions/thoughts; verbals and voice for effect
Grade Level: 8
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing—Narrative Craft; Language—Grammar & Conventions)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week students write a tight narrative scene that feels real on the page. We’ll master dialogue mechanics (punctuation/formatting), layer subtext with action beats and interior thoughts, and choose grammar on purpose—using verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives), active vs. passive voice, and verb mood (indicative/imperative/interrogative/conditional/subjunctive) to shape tone and meaning.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Use dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection to develop experiences, events, and/or characters; integrate action beats and interiority for subtext (W.8.3b–d).
- Apply standard English conventions to punctuate dialogue (commas, quotation marks, capitalization; ellipses/dashes for pauses/interruptions) and maintain accurate spelling and mechanics (L.8.2).
- Demonstrate command of grammar:
- Explain and use verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) for stylistic effect (L.8.1a).
- Choose active or passive voice deliberately (L.8.1b).
- Use verb mood appropriately (indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, subjunctive) to convey stance or possibility (L.8.1c).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 8
- W.8.3b–d: Use narrative techniques (dialogue, pacing, description, reflection); use a variety of transition words/phrases/clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts; use precise language and sensory details to capture action/experiences.
- L.8.2: Demonstrate command of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling; apply conventions for dialogue, commas, ellipses, and dashes.
- L.8.1a–c: Explain function of verbals; form/use verbs in the active and passive voice; form/use verbs in indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, subjunctive moods.
Success Criteria — student language
- My dialogue is correctly punctuated and formatted; tags and beats are clear.
- The subtext (what’s implied) is visible through actions/thoughts and strategic silence.
- I deliberately use verbals, voice, and verb mood to shape tone and meaning.
- My scene has a mini arc (setup → rising tension → beat change/turn → exit) and reads smoothly.