Re Pencil Series- Dialogue Tags (Part 2)
Red Pencil Series – Dialogue Tags
These are the short phrases we use when writing, such as ‘she said’ or ‘asked Linda’. They identify who is speaking, the tone, emotion or intent of what is being expressed. They can be used for clarity within a conversation between characters.
Neutral Tags: Also known as the disappearing tags
These are terms used frequently and recommended by writing guides as words that ‘disappear’ into the narrative.
Said, Asked, Replied, Noted, Added
However, these can become so common place that the writing begins to feel repetitious and create a flat feeling within the writing. They can fall under the ‘Show, Don’t Tell’.
How can we improve the use of dialogue tags to create engaging dialogue that moves the narrative forward instead of falling flat?
Dialogue Tags to ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Volume:
Whispered, Murmured, Muttered, Shouted
Dialogue Tags to ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Emotion:
Cried, Sobbed, Sighed, Growled, Laughed
Dialogue Tags to ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Physicality:
Stuttered, Mumbled, Slurred, Rasped, Wheezed
Dialogue Tags to ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Intensity:
Demanded, Insisted, Urged, Warned, Threatened
Dialogue Tags to ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Uncertainty/Thoughtfulness:
Wondered, Speculated, Guessed, Pondered
When editing your dialogue ask yourself what you are trying to convey within the dialogue of a scene. Sometimes you can eliminate a dialogue tag altogether by creating what is called an ‘Action Beat’. These are actions that show emotion and intensity within the dialogue because it is backed by action ‘Showing, Not Telling’.
An example of showing fear and urgency within a dialogue without any tags.
With dialogue tag said: “We have to go now, he’ll be home any minute”, she said urgently.
Without dialogue tag: “We have to go now, he’ll be home any minute.” She grabbed her keys, heading to the door with her shoes in hand.
OR: “We have to go now.” She grabbed her keys, heading to the door with her shoes in hand. “He’ll be home any minute”
How do you know when you should use a neutral tag, a volume tag, ana emotion tag, a physical tag, an intensity tag, an uncertain/thoughtfulness tag, or skip a tag altogether and use an action beat?
It is ok for your default tag to be a neutral tag, when in doubt these are tried and true tags to use when writing. It also removes the stress of figuring it out when you’re just trying to get your first draft written and on the page. These can be revisited during a self-editing phase, as an editor I also look out for the dialogue tags and will suggest changes or removal of the tags so that you don’t have to stress about that aspect of your story until later drafts.
You’ll want to use your other descriptive tags sparingly. Just like neutral tags, too much of something can create a flat dialogue or one that is overly ‘decorative’. Finding a good balance can happen during editing.
Use the action beats when you’re trying to reveal what’s going on without telling the audience. Our above example tells us that this woman is scared and rushing to leave where they are, to the point where she didn’t even put her shoes on. It introduced what is happening by telling us she’s urging someone else to hurry and also giving us the movements of gathering her things and moving to physically leave. This can help break up monotonous description and dialogue.
Above all, prioritize clarity to your reader. Clarity in which character is speaking, who they’re speaking too, and all of the above are taken into consideration to create dialogue and action together that keeps the pacing of the story into a good rhythm and flow. What you don’t want to do is take away from the dialogue itself.
When crafting dialogue in fiction, choosing the right dialogue tags is essential not only for clarity but also for enhancing reader engagement. From my experience editing and writing, I've found that overusing basic tags like 'said' can make conversations feel monotonous and sometimes even confuse who is speaking. To combat this, using more descriptive tags such as ‘murmured’ or ‘growled’ can inject personality and mood into the dialogue. However, it’s important to remember that dialogue tags should serve the scene without overshadowing the spoken words. Employing action beats—brief descriptions of characters' movements or expressions—can effectively convey emotions and urgency, often better than vivid tags alone. For example, showing a character grabbing their keys and heading to the door can communicate tension and haste more naturally than telling the reader through a dialogue tag. In practice, I recommend drafting your dialogue first with simple tags to keep the flow going and then revisiting to enrich it. During edits, consider whether a tag is necessary or if an action beat might ‘show’ the feeling instead of ‘telling’ it. Also, balance is key; too many colorful tags or lengthy beats may feel decorative and slow pacing. Ultimately, consistency and clarity are paramount. Ensuring your readers always know who is speaking without confusion allows your dialogue and story rhythm to shine. Experimenting mindfully with various dialogue tags and action beats will help your writing feel more dynamic and polished.