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Dialogue Tags
Definition: Dialogue tags are used in creative writing to inform the reader who is talking. Without tags, readers will get lost.
How to Advice on Dialogue Tags
 Place a comma after the dialogue and before the closing quotation.
- "I want to be left alone," said Frank.
When you are not using a tag, end the dialogue with a period.
- "He's been acting like a jerk all day."
When your character is quoting another, use a single quote to differentiate between the main dialogue and the quoted dialogue.
- "Rebecca told me 'I don't care about you. I've never cared about you' and then she left. I haven't heard from her since."
When you include the dialogue tag in the beginning of a sentence, the first letter of the main letter is capitalized.
- Kai said, "She had a stroke early this morning. The family is hopeful. Perhaps too hopeful."
If a dialogue scene runs a few pages, you should include tags here and there and / or action so the reader doesn't get lost.
"Peter, you don't have to solve my problems," said Kayla.
"When you come to me day after day with the same problem, I feel compelled to fix it."
"All I need is for you to hear me out."
"I've been listening to your complaints for over a week."
(The reader has no problem following when Peter or Kayla is speaking, but when the dialogue runs for a while, readers can trip. This is where sprinkling action and/or description can come in handy. Example:)
Peter grew tired of the argument. He reached for Kayla's hand. She snapped her hand away.
"Is that your way of telling me to shut up?"
He had an urge to yell at her, but didn't. "I just want you to know I'm here for you."
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