Study the words given in brackets in the following dialogues taken from the text. What do you notice?
Why do we not use inverted commas to convey the dialogues?
We do not use inverted commas in a play script because dialogues are formatted differently — the speaker's name is written followed by a colon, and the dialogue follows directly. Instead of using reporting verbs (like 'he shouted') with inverted commas, the manner of delivery is enclosed within brackets.
Where do we use colons?
We use colons (:) after the speaker's name to introduce the words of the speaker. For example: Iqbal: Shruti!
What is written within the brackets? What do these convey?
The words written within the brackets indicate the manner in which the actor should deliver the dialogue. Examples include: (a little loudly), (very loudly), (calmly but firmly), (picking up a newspaper), (getting up). They convey tone, volume, emotion, or physical action — much like a reporting verb does in direct speech.
How does it help the actors?
The brackets help actors by providing stage directions on how to deliver their lines — whether to speak loudly, calmly, or firmly, and what actions to perform. The words within brackets are not uttered aloud; they only guide the actor's performance, ensuring the correct tone, pitch, and expression.
Explanation
This question tests students' understanding of play script conventions. In drama, dialogues are not written like prose with inverted commas and reporting verbs. Instead, the speaker's name is followed by a colon, and brackets are used to convey delivery instructions (tone, volume, actions) to actors. These bracketed directions are silent — not spoken aloud — and serve as a replacement for reporting verbs like 'he shouted'.