Definition
A dialogue tag attributes speech to a speaker, usually with a verb such as said or asked. Tags clarify who is talking and can add tone, but they work best when they stay unobtrusive.
Example
"I am not going back," she whispered. The tag marks speaker and volume without repeating the line's meaning.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Using flashy verbs for every line so tags draw more attention than the speech.
- Relying on adverbs in tags to do work the dialogue should carry.