Take the Attribution Tag Challenge
As I was skimming through a Young Adult adventure novel, I couldn’t help but notice the author’s use of attribution tags (said so-and-so).
Here’s a sample, excerpted from five pages of dialog between the narrator (“I”) and her new friend, whom I’ll call “Sara.”
I spelled each attribution tag exactly as the author did.
I’ve removed the dialog so you’ll see only the attribution tags (which, in every instance, follow a character’s direct quote:
Sara proposed.
she explained.
I wondered.
Sara offered.
I proclaimed.
Sara inquired.
I shuttered.
Sara stated in love.
I reasoned.
she explained.
I asked with excitement.
Sara instructed.
Sara shouted.
I cheered.
I dreamed.
encouraged Sara.
Sara detailed.
I screamed.
introduced Sara.
Sara suggested.
I cheered.
Here’s your challenge:
- What’s wrong with these attributions?
- What’s right?
- Based on these attributions, what do you imagine is happening in this chapter?
- What advice would you offer the author in how to structure attributions?
Coming next: Where to put attribution tags, and how to punctuate them.
I like your explanation, Beverly. Readers shouldn’t feel talked down to, or, as you say it, “written down to.” Authors must give readers credit for having an imagination.
[…] Contact ← Take the Attribution Tag Challenge […]
[…] Contact ← Take the Attribution Tag Challenge […]
“suggested” doesn’t bother me, especially if you’re writing some fast paced dialogue between two characters who are brainstorming. Example:
“We gotta figure out who’s killing all those people,” David said. Time is running out.”
“I agree,” Paul said. “But what can we do?”
“I don’t know. How can we find where they’re based?” David paced back and forth in frustration, feeling the minutes slipping by.
“How about finding the pattern on a map?” Paul suggested.
Thoughts?
“suggested” doesn’t bother me, especially if you’re writing some fast paced dialogue between two characters who are brainstorming. Example:
“We gotta figure out who’s killing all those people,” David said. Time is running out.”
“I agree,” Paul said. “But what can we do?”
“I don’t know. How can we find where they’re based?” David paced back and forth in frustration, feeling the minutes slipping by.
“How about finding the pattern on a map?” Paul suggested.
Thoughts?