Post History

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/19626
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I think it entirely depends upon the pacing you require from the scene.

If you're writing it with the action in mind, I would have around a single line of dialogue for every action that takes place.

However, if it's comedy, you can be more liberal with the conversation, and intersperse it with summaries of action sequences.

> "You, sir, have the posture of a dog that has just learned that it has hind legs!" cried Lord Cutler, leaping forward and thrusting his blade directly at his opponent's face.
> 
> "Aha!" responded Lord Graham, deftly jumping to his left to avoid the blow, "your insults are more likely to cut me than your sword!"
> 
> He returned with an arcing strike downwards, which was met with a clean riposte from the prepared Lord Cutler.
> 
> His squire watched the neat block, and joined in with the chorus of barbs over the sound of clashing rapiers, "have at him, m'lord! You shall win this fight with ease!"
> 
> The two fighters danced back and forward, clearly evenly matched in skill.

When this is compared with:

> "You, sir, have the posture of a dog that has just learned that it has hind legs!" cried Lord Cutler viciously at his opponent.
> 
> "Aha!" responded Lord Graham, "your insults are more likely to cut me than your sword!"
> 
> His squire joined in with the chorus of barbs, "have at him, m'lord! You shall win this fight with ease!"
> 
> Lord Cutler leaped forward and thrust his blade directly at his opponent's face, which Lord Graham avoided by jumping to the left.
> 
> He returned with an arcing strike downwards, which was met with a clean riposte from the prepared Lord Cutler.
> 
> The two fighters danced back and forward, clearly evenly matched in skill.

These two bits of action + conversation have the exact same things happening and being said, but reading gives them a different impression.

Having the action alongside the dialogue draws out the fight sequence, making it feel as if the fight is lasting longer, whereas grouping them separately has more focus on what the two are saying to each other, with some action involved.

There should be as much dialogue as needed, but where you are putting it is the important part. If you want the fight to feel fast-paced, but there are three interactions of dialogue for every movement, then cut down on the quips.

If you're looking for more focus on the talking, then just add in a few actions between every chunk of dialogue to break up the conversation, which will help it to flow instead of just being a wall of speech.

Original score: 2