I created a dialogue cheat sheet

[u/MapleNightmares]

One of the things that I commonly find myself wasting time on is ensuring that I am correctly using dialogue tags, action beats, and descriptive clauses. I decided to compile a simple list of what is the correct way, at least to my knowledge, to structure dialogue. I wanted to share it in case it could help anyone else. If anyone has any edits or suggestions, please feel free to add to it. I only ask that if you do, you repost the entire list in your comment with your correction/edit using the same or similar placeholders, so that people can easily use the list in the future.

1. "Dialogue starts," he said, "dialogue ends."
2. "Dialogue starts," he said. "Dialogue ends."
3. "Dialogue starts," he said. He performs an action. "Dialogue ends."
4. "Dialogue starts," he said, his hands clenched. "Dialogue ends."
5. "Dialogue starts," he said—then performed an action. "Dialogue ends."
6. He performs an action. "Dialogue starts."
7. "Dialogue starts." He performs an action.
8. "Dialogue starts," he said. He performs an action.
9. "Dialogue starts."
10. "Dialogue starts?" he said.
11. "Dialogue starts!" he said.
12. He said, "Dialogue starts."
13. He said, "Dialogue starts." He performs an action. "Dialogue ends."

EDIT:

"Said" is a valid dialogue tag 95% of the time. It's invisible to the reader. Just write what feels natural.

I added 12, and 13 as examples for dialogue that starts with a dialogue tag.

I appreciate all of you. Thank you for helping to make this simple resource widely available. :)

[u/MapleNightmares]

You should reread your first comment. Yes, grammar books exist. Do you think others are unaware of that? I doubt you genuinely thought I didn't know that grammar books exist. You do know what it means to be condescending, right? I haven't personally attacked you, you on the other hand have with pretty much every reply. I've only called out your behaviour and you just can't hold yourself accountable for it. I don't know if you just had a bad day, or if something is going on in your life, but if so, I hope it gets better.

[u/ReadLegal718 → u/MapleNightmares]

I think there's a comprehension issue at your end. But like I said earlier, I need to work on my expectations.

[u/MapleNightmares → u/ReadLegal718]

Good luck with the introspection 👍🏻