Manuscript Analysis Free · in-browser · optional cloud history

Dialogue Tag Analyzer

Ratio of said/asked vs fancy tags and adverbs attached to speech tags.

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Runs in your browser. Results can be saved so you can reopen them when signed in — guests are nudged after a couple of uses.
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Paste your text above, then click Analyze — or try Sample.

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About this tool

Fancy dialogue tags and adverb-heavy speech attributions can distract readers. This dialogue tag analyzer counts plain tags (said, asked) versus ornate alternatives, flags adverbs attached to tags, and reports your plain-tag ratio so you can balance voice with readability.

Why manuscript analysis matters for fiction

Rule-based analyzers catch patterns human eyes skim past—especially in AI drafts where filter words, adverbs, and passive voice cluster predictably. Use metrics to prioritize revision, not to flatten your voice. Run a chapter first, fix the worst offenders, then scan the full manuscript.

Editing guides · AI manuscript editing

How to use it

  1. Paste a scene or chapter with dialogue.
  2. Click Analyze to parse speech tags.
  3. Review the plain vs fancy tag ratio.
  4. Check the fancy-tag table for repeated offenders.
  5. Replace unnecessary ornate tags with "said" or action beats.

Tips for fiction authors

  • Action beats often replace tags entirely: instead of "'Watch out,' she exclaimed," write "She grabbed his arm. 'Watch out.'"
  • In two-character scenes, you can drop tags after the rhythm is established. Readers will track who is speaking.
  • AI-generated dialogue overuses "exclaimed," "murmured," and "declared." Replace most with "said" — readers skip it automatically.
  • Reserve fancy tags for moments they genuinely add information: "whispered" when volume matters, "lied" for dramatic irony.

Common questions

Should I only use "said"?

Not always — variety helps. The goal is to avoid every line using exclaimed, declared, or murmured when "said" is invisible.

What is a good plain-tag ratio?

Many commercial novels use "said" or "asked" for most attributions. Higher plain ratios often read cleaner on the page.

Does it count tags inside quotes?

The analyzer focuses on attribution patterns outside quoted speech.

Related guides

Why AI Writes Every Character Wanting the Same Thing How to Use AI to Diagnose and Fix Sentence-Level Monotony How to Use AI to Write a Character's Interior Monologue Style How to Control AI's Punctuation Habits to Match Your Authorial Voice