Hi everyone! I hope you’re well. Today, I’m talking about dialogue tags – specifically, what they are and when to use them.

Using Dialogue Tags

What are Dialogue Tags?

As writers, we all know how important it is to use dialogue tags in our work; they are words used to indicate who is speaking in a conversation, and they can broadly affect the tone and style of a piece of writing. Other names used for dialogue tags are speech tags, attribution tags, or dialogue attribution.

How to Use Dialogue Tags Effectively

Firstly, it’s crucial to understand that dialogue tags come in different forms. Some common dialogue tags are said, asked, and whispered. However, there are many others you can use, such as “exclaimed”, “shouted”, “replied”, “murmured”, and so on. It’s also prudent to remember that not all dialogue needs a tag. Some speech can be placed within the text without the need for a tag at all. For example:

“Hi, how are you?” John smiled.

In this example, the dialogue tag is “John smiled”. However, this information can also be shared in the text itself. For example:

“Hi, how are you?” John’s face lit up with a warm smile.

This sentence shares the same information as the first example, though it does not require a dialogue tag. This technique can create a more immersive experience for the reader, as they can visualise the expression on the character’s face without being told.

Another crucial aspect to consider when using dialogue tags is the frequency of their use. Overusing dialogue tags can be distracting and can slow down the pace of your writing. It’s essential to balance using them when necessary and leaving them out when possible. A general rule of thumb is if it’s clear who’s speaking, you should omit the dialogue tag. For example:

“I don’t like pizza,” Sarah said.

“I do,” Alex replied.

In this example, it’s clear who is speaking, so you could leave out the dialogue tags entirely:

“I don’t like pizza.”

“I do.”

It’s also worth noting that dialogue tags can be employed to convey emotion and tone. For example:

“I hate you,” Sarah spat.

In this example, the tag “spat” conveys a sense of anger and bitterness in Sarah’s voice. Other examples of tags that can convey emotion include “whined,” “growled,” and “snarled.”

Although dialogue tags are a crucial element in storytelling, it’s wise to use them only when necessary so that your story flows the way you want it to.

Some Key Points to Remember

Use a Variety of Dialogue Tags
Overusing the same dialogue tags disrupts the flow of your writing. Instead, mix it up with verbs such as “asked,” “yelled,” “stated,” etc.

Use Action Tags
Action tags refer to describing characters’ actions while they speak instead of using dialogue tags. This helps break up long passages of dialogue and adds motion to your writing. For example:

“Stop!” Kate held her hand up, signalling for everyone to halt.

Use Correct Punctuation
Proper punctuation is essential to structure dialogue tags accurately. Always start the dialogue tag with a lowercase letter, separate it with a comma, use single or double quotation for dialogue, depending on your style, and use a full stop (period) if the dialogue is a complete sentence. For example:

“I’ve been waiting for you,” said John.

“Come here,” whispered Amy.

Do you have specific dialogue tags that you find you overuse? I’m guilty of overusing everything other than “said”, but I’m discovering that sometimes, “said” is enough.

Well, that’s it for today. I hope you learned a thing or two about dialogue tags. Subscribe for more writing tips, advice and information.

Thanks for checking out my post today. It means a lot.

Until next time,

George

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Categories: Editing, Writing Tips

Tags: dialogue, dialogue tags, how to, tags, tips, writing, Writing Tips