Dialog Tags

Dialog Tags

When you write dialog, you need to let your readers know who's talking.

Outside of comics, use DIALOG TAGS to tell readers who's talking.

Tags are words like SAY, SAYS and SAID.

Multiple Choice

Find the dialog tag in this sentence: "Hey!" he said.

• Hey

• !

• he

• said

Multiple Choice

Find the tag in this sentence: "What are you doing?" she said.

• what

• ?

• you

• said

Stick with SAY, SAYS & SAID. These tags are almost invisible. Other tags can get distracting

Avoid sticking ADVERBS onto to your dialog tag. 

Tags like SCREAM or adverbs like EXCITEDLY are TELLING words. 

Your goal as a writer is to SHOW.

Multiple Choice

What's the strongest sentence?

• "Watch out," he screamed. "You'll get hurt!"

• "Watch out," he screamed loudly. "You'll get hurt!"

• "Watch out," he said. "You'll get hurt!"

Multiple Choice

If tags like SCREAM or YELL ANGRILY are TELLING sentences, what are ways you can SHOW with your dialog?

• Describe the character's actions.

• Make sure to use capital letters.

• Double check your punctuation.