Screenwriters have the end vision of the cinematic story, but the screenplay acts only as the scaffolding. Within a small number of words, a screenwriter must convey the end visual story in order for the director and actors to bring this to life. They must do this by also allowing the creative team to impart their vision and skills onto the story.
One of the best skills in a screenwriter’s toolbox is the parenthetical. It allows them to provide a small, vital description within a dialogue scene. A parenthetical can change how a reader interprets a scene and allows them to understand the character and story on a deeper level. When used correctly, a professional screenwriter can connect with the reader and provide a visual aid.
Screenwriting is hard, but when you study each element and know you have the signs to be a screenwriter; in the end you will love the process.
Parenthetical Definition
A screenplay parenthetical is a concise note or instruction that guides how a character delivers a specific line of dialogue or performs an action in a dialogue scene. By incorporating dialogue parentheticals, screenwriters can advance the plot and provide readers with a clearer understanding of the unfolding scene.
Importantly, parentheticals should not be seen as a means for screenwriters to directly dictate or impose their desired performance directions, or limit the creativity in interpreting the character. Rather, they serve as subtle cues to enhance the actor’s understanding of the character’s emotional state and intentions, allowing for a more authentic interpretation of the role.
What is a screenplay parenthetical used for?
1. Show a character’s emotion
Emotions play a crucial role in dialogue scenes, and on the page, effectively expressing them can be challenging but vitally significant. This is because they can be interpreted in many different ways when simply reading dialogue. A screenwriter can use parentheticals to give context to the character’s emotion behind the dialogue. It will allow the actor to interpret the tone and meaning behind a particular line.
Character’s emotion parenthetical example
In 1917, the film follows the main character in one singular long shot through his journey. Without the use of many scene changes, parentheticals are incredibly helpful to move the story forward. Taking a look at the below 1917 screenplay, we can see that two dialogue parentheticals are used to describe the high-intensity emotions of two characters in the scene.

Schofield’s “frantic” parenthetical is necessary to convey the urgency of the character and the “furious” parenthetical is vital to communicate Lieutenant Hutton’s character’s reaction. See the 1917 Battlefield Run Scene clip to see how this comes to life on screen:
2. Describe how an actor delivers the line
Not all dialogue is delivered through emotion. Sometimes an action line is necessary to explain a character’s dialogue delivery, such as:
- (singing)
- (whispering)
- (screaming)
- (barely audible)
- (yawning)
Dialogue parenthetical example
In the screenplay for Get Out, Jordan Peele knew it was necessary to add a parenthetical to clarify that the character Andre is talking out loud to himself. Without this additional information, the actor could interpret the line to be spoken directly to the character in the car. A small action parenthetical can clear up any confusion and ensure the scene is understood correctly.

3. Convey actions or gestures
Screenwriters can use parentheticals to clarify direction when the character is speaking. These should only be used when it makes sense to the dialogue and offers a necessary action that may have otherwise been unclear.
Action Parenthetical Example
In Everything Everywhere All At Once, Screenwriters Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert added parentheticals throughout to indicate whether the dialogue was in English or Chinese. In the below particular example, the scene action shows that Winona finds gum under the desk and pops it in her mouth. The action parenthetical, under the character name, is necessary to show the character takes it out of their mouth and does not say the line through chewing gum.

How to format parentheticals
Formatting parentheticals in a screenplay follows specific guidelines to ensure clarity and consistency. Here’s how to format parentheticals correctly:
- Placement: Parentheticals are placed in parentheses, just as the name suggests. They are written immediately below the character’s name and come before the corresponding dialogue line.
Example:
CHARACTER NAME
(whispering)
- Capitalisation: The first word of the parenthetical should not be capitalised.
Example:
CHARACTER A
(whispering) (correct)
(Whispering) (incorrect)
- Keep it brief: Parentheticals should be succinct and to the point. They are meant to provide essential direction without overwhelming the actor or reader.
Example:
CHARACTER A
(smiling) (correct)
(smiles brightly and enthusiastically) (incorrect)
- Use correct punctuation: There may be a rare case where you need to describe multiple actions in one parenthetical. Use correct punctuation as you would in standard writing
Example:
CHARACTER A
(frowns; spits on the floor; opens the barrier) (correct)
(frowns – spits on the floor…opens the barrier) (incorrect)
6 Helpful parenthetical rules to remember
- Avoid directing camera angles or technical instructions: Parentheticals are primarily for actors, not for specifying camera shots or production details.
- Be clear: Ensure that the meaning of the parenthetical is evident, and it doesn’t create confusion for the actor or reader.
- Use sparingly: Avoid overusing parentheticals. Only include them when necessary to clarify the character’s emotions or actions.
- Don’t direct minor actions: It is the actor’s job to interpret the script and make character decisions. Don’t use parentheticals to micromanage.
- Don’t direct other characters: During one actor’s dialogue, it is not permissible to describe another actor’s actions using a parenthetical.
- Don’t use a pronoun: This is implied as it comes below the character’s name.
A powerful screenwriting tool, parentheticals enhance storytelling on the page by providing crucial visual cues. Screenplays aim to convey a cinematic narrative, and without visuals, this task can be challenging. Nevertheless, parentheticals offer screenwriters an effective means to communicate essential information, enriching the script’s storytelling potential.
Parentheticals can help give context to the actors, whereas screenplay transitions can give direction to the director and editor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does script writing software format parentheticals?
Yes, most professional scriptwriting software automatically formats parentheticals according to industry standards. These software programs are designed to make the screenwriting process more efficient and ensure that the final script adheres to the proper formatting guidelines.
When you use screenwriting software such as Final Draft, Celtx, or WriterDuet, you can simply type the parenthetical text beside the character’s name, and it will automatically place it in parentheses and in the correct position on the page.
Do all screenwriters use parentheticals?
No, not all screenwriters use parentheticals. The use of parentheticals in screenwriting is a stylistic choice, and different writers have their preferences and approaches to conveying character emotions and actions. Some screenwriters may use parentheticals sparingly or only in specific situations where they believe it’s essential to convey a particular emotion, tone, or action that cannot be adequately captured through dialogue alone. Others may choose to rely more on well-crafted dialogue and action lines to convey the character’s emotions and intentions without using parentheticals.
It’s worth noting that experienced screenwriters often tend to use fewer parentheticals, as they trust the actors and directors to bring their interpretation to the characters and scenes. Conversely, newer or less experienced writers might rely more on parentheticals as a way to ensure their intentions are clear. Regardless of whether you are an experienced writer or not, practising screenwriting every day will help you get clear on your style and gain confidence.