Definition
Subtext is the meaning beneath the spoken words: what characters want, fear, or refuse to say directly. Dialogue with subtext lets readers feel tension because surface talk and real intent diverge.
Example
"Nice weather," she says while packing her bag. The line is about leaving, not the sky.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Making characters say exactly what they mean in every exchange.
- Adding subtext so obscure that readers cannot follow the scene.