Scratch

Beginner

40 mins

Teacher/Student led

What you need:
Chromebook/Laptop/PC or iPad/Tablet

Talking and Timing: Adding Dialogue and Delays

In this lesson, you'll learn to create a conversation between two characters in Scratch. Follow steps to add dialogue and use timing with 'wait' blocks, ensuring your sprites speak at the right moments on screen.

Learning Goals Learning Outcomes Teacher Notes

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1 Introduction
2 Create a new project
3 Add Two Characters
4 Set the Scene
5 Start the Conversation
6 Wait for a Response
7 Make the Second Character Speak
8 Keep the Conversation Going
9 Test the Conversation
Challenge
Quiz

1 - Introduction

In this lesson, we’re going to make two characters have a conversation, just like in an interview! You’ll learn how to add dialogue to your sprites and use timing to make sure each character speaks at the right moment. By the end of this lesson, your sprites will be talking to each other on the screen!

2 - Create a new project

Let's start by creating a new Scratch project. First, go to the Scratch website by clicking here.

Once you're on the Scratch website, click on 'Create' to start a new project. You will see a cat sprite on the screen.

Scratch: How to create a new project

Go to the Scratch website using the link below and click on the 'Create' link in the blue bar at the top.

By default, each new project starts with the cat sprite already added. To delete the cat click on the x in the blue circle beside the cat in the sprite list.

https://scratch.mit.edu

3 - Add Two Characters

Start by adding two characters to your project from the sprite library.

You can choose any two sprites you like— but for my example I will use Abby and Avery!

Scratch: How to add a sprite from the library

To add a sprite from the sprite library follow these steps:

Put your mouse over the Choose a Sprite button
Click on the magnifying glass
Find the sprite you want in the library
Click on your chosen sprite

You can use search box or the filter links (Animals, People, Fantasy etc) to locate your sprite.

4 - Set the Scene

Next, choose a background that fits your interview.

You might want to use a stage, a TV studio, or a park—anywhere you think an interview would happen.

For my example, I will chose the park.

Scratch: How to add a backdrop from the library

To add a backdrop from the backdrop library follow these steps:

Put your mouse over the Choose a Backdrop button
Click on the magnifying glass
Find the backdrop you want in the library
Click on your chosen backdrop

You can use search box or the filter links (Fantasy, Music, Sports etc) to locate your backdrop.

5 - Start the Conversation

We’ll start by making the first character speak.

Drag the "when green flag clicked" block from the Events section into the coding area of the first sprite.

Then, add the "say [Hello] for 2 seconds" block from the Looks section.

when green flag clicked
say [hello] for [2] seconds

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Copyright Notice
This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.

Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. It is available for free at https://scratch.mit.edu

Your Answer or Description of Your Work

Project URL This can be a link to your project (e.g. a Scratch, Microbit, Arcade or CodePen URL link).

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To get the URL link of your Scratch project:

Make sure you're logged into Scratch.
Click on the Share button in the project editor.
Click on the Copy Link button.
Click on the Copy Link link. This will save the URL of your project page into your clipboard.

To get the URL link of your Microbit project:

Click on the button in the project editor.
Click on the Publish Project button.
Click on the Copy button. This will save the URL of your project page into your clipboard.

To get the URL link of your Arcade project:

Click on the button in the project editor.
Click on the Publish Project button.
Click on the Copy button. This will save the URL of your project page into your clipboard.

To get the URL link of your CodePen project:

Make sure you're logged into CodePen.
Open your project in the editor.
Click on the Save button at the top of the editor.
Copy the link from the address bar in your web browser (e.g. https://codepen.io/Jane-Smith/pen/gOVXxBQ)

Talking and Timing: Adding Dialogue and Delays