Nondialogue

Nondialogue is a term used in literary and media studies to refer to elements of a text or production that convey information, mood, or action without spoken dialogue. It encompasses narration, description, exposition, internal monologue, stage directions, captions, and nonverbal communication such as gestures and imagery.

In literature, nondialogue provides world-building and pacing by describing setting, characters' thoughts, or events that occur outside dialogue exchanges. It can be omniscient or limited to a character's point of view. Writers balance nondialogue with dialogue to show rather than tell; excessive nondialogue can slow momentum, while concise narration can heighten clarity.

In drama and film, nondialogue covers visual storytelling and instructions that are not spoken by characters. Stage directions, lighting, sound design, and editing communicate information. Voiceover may count as nondialogue when used to relay information or inner thought rather than actual spoken dialogue between characters.

In comics and graphic novels, captions and thought balloons function as nondialogue to convey narration, background information, or inner life that is not spoken by characters.

Nondialogue plays a critical role in pacing, tone, and accessibility, and it interacts with dialogue to produce a seamless narrative flow. Critics examine how nondialogue shapes reader or viewer interpretation, whether by implying subtext or revealing inner processes without direct speech. See also: narration, exposition, voiceover, stage directions, caption.