A Dialogue Tags List For Writers
By michal leah
proofreader, beta reader, and writing teacher.
A dialogue tags list can be quite useful in fiction writing. Dialogue tags are used to indicate who is speaking, and they can add flow and readability to a conversation. But with so many available options for a dialogue tags list, it can be hard to know how to use dialogue tags successfully. In this article, we’ll cover some of the most common dialogue tags used in creative writing and provide some tips on how (and how not) to use them.
Types of Tags to Add to your Dialogue Tags List
The most basic dialogue tag is “said.” Said is ubiquitous in fiction writing because it does its job without drawing attention to itself. It simply indicates who is speaking without taking away from the flow of the conversation.
Other popular dialogue tags include “asked,” “replied,” “answered,” and “exclaimed.” These are all good options if you want to keep your dialogue tags list simple and unadorned.
Sometimes, though, you may want your dialogue tags list to be more descriptive or show more emotion. In this case, you may want to consider using an action-oriented or emotion-oriented dialogue tags list such as “whispered,” “shouted,” or “growled.”
The key is to choose words that fit the tone of your story and don't take away from the reader's experience of reading your work. Sometimes, a dialogue tags list bursting with fancy “said” synonyms can be distracting.
Using A Dialogue Tags List Effectively
When using any type of dialogue tag—whether it be a plain one like “said” or an action-oriented one like “whispered”—you want to make sure that you're using them effectively and appropriately within your story. Overusing dialogue tags can lead to cumbersome or long sentences that detract from the overall flow of your narrative. Underusing them can confuse readers as they try to figure out who said what during a conversation.
A good rule of thumb is only use a dialogue tag when absolutely necessary—otherwise, let the context and the dialogue itself do the talking for you. Additionally, avoid using too many different types of dialogue tags in close succession.
Using an appropriate and effective dialogue tags list can enhance the readability of any piece of fiction prose by providing clarity about who is saying what during conversations between characters.
While there are plenty of options available, it's important not to overuse them lest they become intrusive on the narrative flow. By following these suggestions when adding to your own personal dialogue tags list, you will ensure your story is both engaging and clear throughout.
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