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Q&A How do we distinguish someone talking to another person via telepathy rather than via vocal means?

The first step is to use different styling for the telepathic parts, as suggested in the answer by Evil Sparrow. I recommend against using italics because italics are often used for inner dialogue...

posted 4y ago by Monica Cellio‭

Answer
#1: Initial revision by user avatar Monica Cellio‭ · 2019-12-17T03:42:03Z (over 4 years ago)
The first step is to use different styling for the telepathic parts, as suggested in the answer by Evil Sparrow.  I recommend against using italics because italics are often used for inner dialogue (thoughts).

But it's not just styling; go deeper.  Telepathy is a different *kind* of communication, so think about how it works in your setting.  It's probably *not* just the same sequence of words that the characters would otherwise speak.  Telepathy, being mental, could bring along other mental data -- mood, images, other senses. 

> "It won't take too much time. He will be here any moment now." said Tim.

> &lt;SWAT, incoming&gt; Tim's pulse quickened, throbbing in Matthew's mind.  He glanced down the empty street and mind-saw the van.

> "Really!? Thank God. I was getting nervous." said Matthew.