Dialogad

Dialogad is a term in narrative theory describing a mode of storytelling in which dialogue is the primary engine of information, character development, and plot progression, with minimal third-person narration. The term appears in online discussions and fan critique rather than formal scholarship, and its exact origin is unclear.

Characteristics include dialogue-driven exposition, subtext-heavy exchanges, pacing controlled by line breaks and turn-taking, and often a close study of power dynamics between speakers. It is frequently used in short form and computer-mediated storytelling, including interactive fiction and chat-based narratives, where the reader infers context beyond what is stated.

Applications of dialogad include its use by writers to explore moral ambiguity, social tension, or contested truths by letting different voices present competing interpretations. In interactive formats, branching dialogue can provide divergent outcomes while preserving the dialogue-centric structure, enabling reader or user agency within a dialogue-rich framework.

Origin and reception: Dialogad is described mainly in informal writing and critique rather than formal theory. Critics argue that it can overload readers with subtext or reduce world-building clarity, making long-form works harder to follow. Proponents contend that it enhances realism and immersion by mirroring natural speech and social interaction.

See also: Dialogue, Subtext, Interactive fiction, Screenplay.