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Q&A Do we have to introduce the character's name before using their names in a dialogue tag?

Do we have to introduce the character's name before using their names in a dialogue tag? I am wondering if we can use the names without saying it's a man or a woman, and then making the characters ...

3 answers  ·  posted 5y ago by blackbird‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T12:30:41Z (about 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/46790
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar blackbird‭ · 2019-12-08T12:30:41Z (about 5 years ago)
Do we have to introduce the character's name before using their names in a dialogue tag? I am wondering if we can use the names without saying it's a man or a woman, and then making the characters introduce themselves and name themselves before using their names in dialogue tags.

For example:

> "My name is John!" the man said.
> 
> "Happy to meet you!" said Matthew.
> 
> "Likewise!" said John.

What are the various approaches for this? And when should you use them?

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2019-07-21T19:18:50Z (over 5 years ago)
Original score: 6