Dialogue Tags and Their Functions

Brandon McNulty discusses the use of dialogue tags in writing, offering basic advice and advanced techniques. He emphasizes the importance of using common verbs like 'said' and 'asked' for clarity, while also exploring the use of action, thought, and description tags to add depth. The video covers the frequency of dialogue tags and how they can affect story momentum and pacing.

What is the primary purpose of dialogue tags in writing?

• To introduce new characters

• To provide background information

• To indicate who is speaking

• To describe the setting

Which verbs are recommended for use in dialogue tags 90% of the time?

• Said and asked

• Yelled and whispered

• Mumbled and groaned

• Shouted and screamed

When is it appropriate to use more descriptive verbs in dialogue tags?

• When introducing a new character

• When describing the volume or tone

• When indicating the speaker's mood

• When describing the setting

How can the placement of dialogue tags affect the flow of writing?

• It can make the dialogue less engaging

• It can confuse the reader

• It can change the momentum and keep writing fresh

• It can make the writing more complex

Where should punctuation be placed in relation to dialogue quotes?

• It doesn't matter

• Before the quotes

• Outside the quotes

• After the quotes

What is the purpose of using action tags in dialogue?

• To describe the speaker's appearance

• To indicate the speaker's mood

• To introduce new characters

• To provide a sense of movement and setting

Why is it important to maintain clarity with dialogue tags?

• To introduce new characters

• To ensure the reader knows who is speaking

• To make the dialogue more complex

• To confuse the reader

How can removing dialogue tags affect the pacing of a story?

• It confuses the reader

• It slows down the story

• It speeds up the story

• It makes the story more complex