Arts Challenge: Writing techniques to make dialogue more realistic

I searched the internet for articles on how to improve dialogue, especially in regards to making it sound more realistic (this is the basis of my 'Arts Challenge' as I have trouble with this in my own writing, especially script writing), the results will be described below.

Every character should have it's own distinct voice
A script will have multiple characters and , like in real life, they have different voices, so when writing a script extra effort should be taken to stress this point otherwise the characters will morph into one speaking entity, which will not sound realistic in the slightest and just kill the script.

Read the dialogue outloud
This piece of advise is mentioned on numerous web sites, generally it's purpose is to make you think, in the context of the scene could you imagine this being said and is it engaging or interesting for an audience to listen to, if not then it needs a bit of work doing to it.

Abbreviate your dialogue
Not everyone speaks in standard english and neither do your characters, so try to implement this into your dialogue along with colloquialisms that are associated with the backgrounds of the characters, although you shouldn't go overboard as this will reduce your characters to simple caricatures. My favorite quote for this is "You may speak like an english scholar, but that doesn't mean your characters will" (unfortunately I can't place where I heard this).

Have others read your dialogue
This will offer a fresh perspective on what you have written and after being entrenched in writing it for a while, it will highlight error that you may have overlooked. But overall they will be able to tell you if it makes sense.

Listen to people
Another one that cropped up on numerous sites, this is to gain a good understanding of how people actually talk, so that you can mimic it in your work, though in a more engaging and interesting way that will keep the audience reading/watching.

Sources:
- http://reelauthors.com/script-analysis-coverage/how-to-write-great-dialogue.php#sthash.IBv42x0v.dpuf
-http://www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/how-tos/filmmaking-tips/screenwriting-how-to-write-the-dialogue.html
-http://www.studentfilmmakers.com/forums/showthread.php/5616-17-Fast-Tips-for-Creating-Realistic-Dialogue
-http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090128102939AAl89aE

4th January 2014