How does the length/position of action tags affect the dialogue?

Example:

"Exactly." John scratched the nape of his neck. It had a faint, purple blotch I hadn't noticed before. Probably sunburn. "Our lives began in the sea, and will probably end on land."

"Exactly." John scratched the nape of his neck. It had a faint, purple blotch I hadn't noticed before. Probably sunburn. "Our lives began in the sea, and will probably end on land."

"Exactly. Our lives began in the sea, and will probably end on land." John scratched the nape of his neck. It had a faint, purple blotch I hadn't noticed before. Probably sunburn.

John scratched the nape of his neck. It had a faint, purple blotch I hadn't noticed before. Probably sunburn. "Exactly. Our lives began in the sea, and will probably end on land."

Do the three examples give a different message to the reader?

These are my conclusions so far:

• Shorter action tags gives more focus to the dialogue.

• Longer action tags distract attention from the dialogue.

• Action tags that are placed before the dialogue affect the dialogue in a stronger way.

• Action tags that are placed after the dialogue affect the dialogue in a lesser way.

But I'm probably wrong, that's why I decided to write this question.

posted about 9 years ago

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Alexandro Chen‭

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