- 1). Insert the tag when you want to set off dialogue.
- 2). Separate the tag from the dialogue by placing a comma after the tag, when the tag precedes the dialogue: He said, "I never expected this to happen."
- 3). Place a comma at the end of the quote when the tag follows the dialogue: "Bake me a cake," she said.
- 4). Use basic tags such as "he said" or "she asked" to set off the dialogue, in most cases.
- 5). Write the speakers' thoughts or actions after the dialogue to avoid basic tag repetition, Jerome Stern suggests: "I didn't know you would be dropping by this late." Leslie quickly grabbed the wad of used tissues from the couch.
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