Communication Quote by Elmore Leonard
“Never use a verb other than ‘said’ to carry dialogue.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Get Shorty, 1990
Use simple dialogue tags to keep focus on character voice and action.
In simple terms: Only use 'said' for dialogue attribution.
Key Takeaway
Keep dialogue tags minimal.
Themes
writing
dialogue
clarity
Mood
practical
focused
Type
writing
advice
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- editing
- teaching dialogue
Key Concepts
Narrative technique
voice control
Questions to Reflect On
- How does limiting tags affect character perception?
- When is a non‑said tag appropriate?
A Different Perspective
Overly restrictive tag use may limit expressive nuance.
