  In this talk, we discuss the formation of the near-ultraviolet and optical
continuum emission in M dwarf flares through the formation of a dense, heated
chromospheric condensation. Results are used from a recent
radiative-hydrodynamic model of the response of an M dwarf atmosphere to a high
energy flux of nonthermal electrons. These models are used to infer the charge
density and optical depth in continuum emitting flare layers from spectra
covering the Balmer jump and optical wavelength regimes. Future modeling and
observational directions are discussed.
