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Snarf Posted 14 years ago
Essay & Composition Writing

Name Tags

I was wondering how some of you story and novel writers out there deal with name tags. Sometimes I worry that I'm overdoing them, and other times I worry that I'm not putting enough, that is, if there are more than two people in a conversation. For example, if it is made explicit that one of the characters turns to ask a question to a specific person, is it necessary to put a name tag in front of that person's response, since there is also a third person there, who is not responding for the person who was asked the question? That is, if Person 1 turns to Person 2 to ask a question, should there be a "Person 2 said" type of name tag beside their response, just to be one hundred percent clear that it is not person 3 responding in their place, or is that superflous, given there is no reason to believe that Person 3 is interjecting?

Thanks.
  

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4 Answers
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It would be clearer if you gave us a sample text and the options you are considering.
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I could do a little mockup, yes. It could be something like:

"I say just run him over and keep going," Mike said.
"Can you please just stop it?" said Sam.
"I'm just trying to help," Mike said.
"Well, stop! OK? For at least five minutes?" Sam told him.
"Fine," Mike said coolly.
"Thank you," Sam said. He turned to Jack: "What do think I should do? I don't want to ***** t
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SnarfThere, I don't have to keep going. Is it clear when Jack talks, even though there is no name tag?
Yes, because of the content, What is odd is that 'Sam' and 'Mike' are constantly indicated, while 'Jack' never is.
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He would be indicated many times before and after that section. I just wanted to use that as an example.

Thanks.
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