Dialogue should always have a purpose.

Use dialogue to:

• Show character
• Distinguish each character
• Show the relationship between characters
• Impart information to the reader that would normally and naturally be talked about by the characters
• Break up long stretches of narrative
• Quicken the story pace
• Foreshadowing future events

To ensure good dialogue:

• Let the dialogue speak for itself
• Keep the dialogue short
• Make sure the reader knows who's talking by using speech tags, "gestures" [body language movements], his or her unique use of language, and direct address. Use the latter sparingly.

Avoid:

• "-ly tagalongs" [adverbs tacked onto speech tags that tell the reader how to interpret the dialogue]
• "Said-bookisms" [replacements for he said/she said speech tags; e.g., he expostulated]
• "As-you-know-Bobs" [unnatural dialogue present only to convey info to the readers since the characters already know the info]
• Dialogue without tension
• portraying "ums", "ers", and other everyday conversation fillers
• Too many direct name references (too much "direct address")
• Uncharacteristic dialogue
• Unnecessary dialogue
• Excessive dialect
• Repeating information in dialogue that's already been covered in narrative
• Overdoing he said/she said speech tags 

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