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What is the proper way to label dialogue spoken by a group of characters?

Tagged: characters, film, formatting, screenplay, screenwriting, script, scriptwriting

When multiple characters are speaking the same dialogue simultaneously (as opposed to [two characters speaking different dialogue at the same time](https://screenwriting.io/how-do-you-format-two-characters-talking-at-once/)), you will usually handle it with slashes.

HOSTESS/WAITER/CHEF

Welcome to Jurassic Pork!

There are times where alternatives are also acceptable. If there is a singular label that clearly expresses who is speaking, for instance, it is perfectly okay to use that.

Stephanie, Wendy, and Liz walk through the door to the boys’ locker room.

GIRLS

Hello, gentlemen!

Generally, as with all formatting advice, if your method is clear and does not distract the reader, it is most likely fine.

### More from johnaugust.com
* [Writing better dialogue](http://johnaugust.com/2010/writing-better-dialogue “Writing better dialogue”)
* [Handling IMs in screenplays](http://johnaugust.com/2011/handling-ims-in-screenplays “Handling IMs in screenplays”)
* [Stressing out in dialogue](http://johnaugust.com/2010/stressing-out-in-dialogue “Stressing out in dialogue”)
* [Formatting the one-sided phone conversation](http://johnaugust.com/2005/formatting-the-one-sided-phone-conversation “Formatting the one-sided phone conversation”)

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