What is a Dialogue Tag?

A dialogue tag, also known as a speech tag, is a word or phrase that helps the reader identify who is speaking in a story. The most common speech tag used in writing is the word ‘said’, but there are many other more expressive ways to say ‘’said’.

This year, you can help your students spice up their writing with a fun new tool: the ‘Wheely’ Good Dialogue Tag Spinner!

All About Your Dialogue Tag Word Wheel

The Wheely Wonderful Dialogue Tag Word Wheel has two sections. The inner circle contains emotions or character traits that might apply to a character in a story. The outer circle contains a variety of dialogue tags that you can choose to use in your writing that will signify speech as well

as help the reader get to know the characters you have introduced.

As a teacher, you can spend some time working with dialogue tags to help your students expand their vocabulary, make their writing more interesting and varied, and improve their communication skills.

How to Create Your Dialogue Tag Word Wheel

• Cut out the word wheel from the PDF file.
• Cut out the wheely wonderful word wheel cover, being careful to leave the center circle as a pivot point.
• Place the cover over the Wheely Wonderful Dialogue Tag Word Wheel.
• Insert a brass brad through the center circle on the ‘x’. Now, you’ve got a fun way to find dialogue tags to match the characters in your students’ stories.

Download Your Resource

This resource downloads as a PDF file that includes color and blackline versions. Click the download button to get your new resource!

Even More Resources to Teach About Using Dialogue

Looking for more? Make sure you grab these handy dialogue worksheets and resources while you’re here!

teaching resource

Writing Out Loud: Dialogue Punctuation Teaching Presentation

Teach your students how to write dialogue correctly with an interactive teaching presentation.

teaching resource

Punctuating Dialogue - Worksheet Pack

Reinforce understanding of how to punctuate direct speech with differentiated quotation marks worksheets.

teaching resource

Writing Out Loud: Dialogue Punctuation Worksheet

Practice using quotation marks in writing with a Punctuating Dialogue worksheet.