A List of Speech Tags For Fiction Writers
By kristen overman
editor and writing teacher.
Writing dialogue in fiction can be a tricky skill to master, especially without a master list of speech tags. It's not just about what the characters are saying, but also how they're saying it that matters. That's where a list of speech tags can come in handy—but only as a jumping off point. You don’t want to copy and paste a list of speech tags, especially once you read this advice.
What are Speech and Dialogue Tags?
Speech and dialogue tags can help you create a vivid image of your characters for readers, without having to explicitly explain each character's mannerisms or thought process. Let’s take a look at what speech and dialogue tags are, how to use them effectively, and when to avoid using them.
Speech and dialogue tags are words or phrases that provide context for the conversation between two or more characters in a story. Starting with a list of speech tags is nice, but you first have to understand what speech tags are doing in a scene and why you want them.
Speech tags help authors convey meaning beyond what is spoken aloud by the characters in the scene (the stuff between the quotation marks). For example, if one character says something sarcastically, you could add a tag such as "she said sarcastically" so that the reader understands that the statement was meant to have some irony.
A list of speech tags in this category might include: whispered, explained, muttered, shouted, quipped, retorted etc.
Dialogue tags are similar to speech tags, but they provide more specific information about the tone of voice being used by a character in a particular situation. Examples of dialogue tags include “he growled” or “she purred,” which indicate an aggressive or seductive tone, respectively.
That said—when you’re considering your list of speech tags, remember that ‘said’ and ‘asked’ are almost invisible to the reader, while other speech and dialogue tags draw more attention to themselves. Whether or not you want this and should expand your list of speech tags is up to you.
How To Use a List of Speech Tags Effectively
When used correctly, dialogue and speech tags can really bring your writing alive. The key here is moderation—too many tags can be distracting for readers and take away from your story’s flow. Remember, you don’t need an extensive list of speech tags. Stick mostly to basic speech tags like “said” or “asked” so that readers can focus on what is being said. That’s where the substance lies—in what is being said, not how it’s being said.
When To Avoid a List of Speech Tags
Usually, less is more. If you find yourself consulting a list of speech tags and adding too many into your writing, then consider removing some of them altogether (or replacing them with more subtle alternatives). This will help keep your writing clean and concise while still conveying all of the appropriate emotions through context clues rather than explicit writing descriptionswith lots of adverbs and adjectives.
Additionally, avoid adding unnecessary details about how someone speaks (e.g., "he said cheerfully") unless those details actually add something meaningful to your story—otherwise they'll just clutter up your narrative without providing any real benefit.
When used correctly, a list of speech tags can add depth and complexity to your writing by helping readers understand what is going on between different characters without having to explicitly explain everything in detail.
But it’s important not to overuse these tools—too many speech or dialogue tags can quickly become distracting for readers. With practice, you'll soon get into the habit of using these powerful tools effectively in order to enhance any fiction prose piece you write.
elevate your writing
Are you ready to take your story to the next level? Kristen Overman is here to help you! She's an experienced editor with expertise in middle grade and young adult fiction, picture books, adult fiction, and memoir. She can work with you to develop your plot, characters, and narrative voice, as well as assist in the brainstorming and outlining stages of your project.
