Written with the screenwriter in mind, this book offers techniques, the dialogue devices, in sprucing up and spicing up dialogue. There are 67 dialogue devices, all of which are illustrated by examples. The prime examples are taken from the quote lists compiled by the American Film Institute (AFI) as part of its notable list specials. Every year since 1998, the AFI has presented CBS television specials, the AFI's 100 Years! 100 Movies, to celebrate an aspect of American cinema. In 2005, the AFI saluted the movie dialogue in 100 Years! 100 Movie Quotes. A quote first had to be part of a nominated list of 400 quotes. From that pool, the AFI panel of judges selected and ranked the final 100, the cream of the crop. Both the 400 and 100 were useful guides to this book.