Final answer:
Dialogue is the term used for a conversation between two or more characters in literature, plays, or movies. It's a fundamental element that helps advance the plot, develop characters, and reveal relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two or more characters conversing is known as dialogue. This is a crucial element in both written literature such as novels and plays, as well as in movies. A dialogue is a conversation that occurs between two or more characters, and it is used by writers to advance the plot, reveal character traits and relationships, and convey important thematic elements. An example of this can be seen in plays, where everything the audience understands about the characters and the plot comes from what the characters say to each other, to themselves, or sometimes to the audience.
In contrast to dialogue, a monologue involves only one character speaking to convey their thoughts, often while other characters might be on stage. There's also a unique form called a soliloquy, which is similar to a monologue but delivered when the character is alone on stage. To grasp the distinctions, understanding the root words helps; 'mono' meaning single and 'solo' meaning alone. But for a conversation with more than one participant, the term dialogue is used.
Dialogue often performs multiple functions in a story. It doesn't just convey information; it also reveals character and emotional states, reflects relationships, suggests the setting, and even dictates the pace of the narrative through its rhythm. Good dialogue is multifaceted and layered, revealing nuances through not only the words spoken but how they are delivered.