How to use Dialogue Tags

We’ve all been there. Do you include the punctuation inside the quotes or outside? Where does the question mark go? Do I really need to use a dialogue tag?

So many suggestions and rules from very talented people. Some I’ve followed, but some I’ve ignored. The following are my rules and they work in every situation.

First, avoid using dialogue tags as much as possible because it’s true that you don’t need them. Second, I restrict myself to only three dialogue tags: said, asked, and the occasional exclaimed. Third, always structure the sentence so that the dialogue tag is on the inside, between the quote and the speaker regardless of which comes first.

With those restrictions, only nine combinations are possible. With help from the cast of the 1976 television series Alice, let’s explore them.

Pictured from the left: Flo, Alice, Mel, Tommy, and Vera

A. Dialogue Tag then QUESTION

• In a gravely voice Mel asked, “Alice, did you charge that guy for soup?”
• “Not yet.”
• “You make sure you do. This is a diner, not a soup kitchen.”

Use the dialogue tag ’asked’ with a comma before the quote. Use a question mark before the closing quote.

B. QUESTION then Dialogue Tag

• “Alice, did you charge that guy for soup,”  asked Mel in a gravely voice.
• “Not yet.”
• “You make sure you do. This is a diner, not a soup kitchen.”

Use a comma before the closing quote then ‘asked’ as the dialogue tag. End with a period.

C. QUESTION Alone

• Flo interrupted. “Hey Mel?”
• “Yeah?”
• “Kiss my grits,” exclaimed Flo.

Use a question mark before the closing quote.

D. Dialogue Tag then STATEMENT

• Alice said, “I want Tommy to have a future.”
• “Doesn’t he like Phoenix,” asked Vera.
• “There aren’t a lot of opportunities besides driving a truck.”

Use the dialogue tag ’said’ with a comma before the quote. End with a period inside the quote.

E. STATEMENT then Dialogue Tag

• “I want Tommy to have a future,” said Alice.
• “Doesn’t he like Phoenix,” asked Vera.
• “There aren’t a lot of opportunities besides driving a truck.”

Use a comma before the closing quote and ‘said’ as the dialogue tag. End with a period.

F. STATEMENT Alone

• In a gravely voice Mel asked, “Alice, did you charge that guy for soup?”
• “Not yet.”
• “You make sure you do. This is a diner, not a soup kitchen.”

Use a period inside the closing quote.

G. Dialogue Tag then EXCLAMATION

• Flo interrupted. “Hey Mel?”
• “Yeah?”
• She said, “Kiss my grits!”

Use the dialogue tag ’said’ with a comma before the quote. Use an exclamation point before the closing quote.

H. EXCLAMATION then Dialogue Tag

• Flo interrupted. “Hey Mel?”
• “Yeah?”
• “Kiss my grits,” exclaimed Flo.

Use a comma before the closing quote and ‘exclaimed’ as the dialogue tag. End with a period.

I. EXCLAMATION Alone

• “Well, Sugar, I’d let you have the sandwich for free but…” said Flo gesturing behind her toward Mel.
• “You stow it!”

Use an exclamation point inside the closing quote.

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