speech balloon
Comic conversation container
A speech balloon is the rounded shape in comics and cartoons that contains a character's spoken words, connected to the speaker by a pointed tail.
Thought balloons typically have a cloud-like border with smaller bubbles leading to the thinker.
The convention dates to early newspaper comics and remains the standard visual device for representing dialogue in sequential art.
The artist drew an angry speech balloon with jagged edges to show the character was yelling.
Distinct flat section
- captionText accompanying an image
- gutterEdge channel for runoff
- letteringStyled written characters
- dialogue boxInterface element requesting input
thought bubble · callout · tail · pointer · text box · manga · graphic novel · strip
Exchange of spoken ideas
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
- quoteRepeated words from another
- remarkSpoken comment or note
- statementExpressed claim or fact
exchange · reply · response · interjection · exclamation · whisper · shout · aside
Character style set
- boldCourageous and daring
- italicSlanted letter style
- uppercaseCapital letter form
- lowercaseUncapitalized letter form
lettering · typeface · text · punctuation · ellipsis · interrobang · asterisk · brackets
Visual for inner monologue
- inner monologueUnspoken personal narration
- daydreamConscious fantasy while awake
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- musingReflective contemplation
contemplation · internal dialogue · wondering · imagining · pondering · reverie · idea · realization
panel
Distinct flat section
dialogue box · thought bubble · callout · tail · pointer · text box · manga · graphic novel · strip · cartoonist
conversation
Exchange of spoken ideas
statement · exchange · reply · response · interjection · exclamation · whisper · shout · aside · monologue
font
Character style set
lowercase · lettering · typeface · text · punctuation · ellipsis · interrobang · asterisk · brackets · sizing
thought bubble
Visual for inner monologue
- inner monologueUnspoken personal narration
- daydreamConscious fantasy while awake
- reflectionReturned light or thought
musing · contemplation · internal dialogue · wondering · imagining · pondering · reverie · idea · realization · memory
speech balloonsilence
Total lack of sound
muteness · speechlessness · wordlessness · unspoken · stillness
speech, balloon, speak, speaks, spoken, speaking, speaker, speakers, speechless