Here's why:
* Clarity: Indentation visually separates dialogue from the narrative, making it clear who is speaking.
* Readability: It improves the readability of your essay by making it easier for the reader to follow the conversation.
* Convention: It is a standard practice in writing to indent dialogue, following the rules of formatting and style.
Example:
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"To the library," I replied, "I need to finish my research paper."
"Oh, okay," she said. "Have fun!"
Note:
* You can use quotation marks around the dialogue, as shown above.
* If the dialogue is short, you can sometimes omit the indentation, especially if the speaker is clearly identified in the narrative.
By following these conventions, you can make your narrative essay more engaging and easier to understand.