December 31, 2017 by Fiction Editor Beth Hill
last modified January 1, 2018
This may be an odd topic, but it’s one that came up for me recently, so I thought it worth an article.
When we write fiction, we use every tool, every bit of experience and wisdom, to create a plot and characters that engage readers for the length of the story. We apply what we know about story structure. We learn everything we can about our characters so that they behave in character, moved by circumstances in a way that only they could be. And we use grammar and punctuation as part of our foundation and in ways that enhance mood, tone, emotions, and so forth.
Today I want to look at what is probably best described as a style issue blended with a punctuation issue. I want to look at the use of questions by characters.
There are the common, everyday questions that any character, any person, might ask over the course of a day:
What can I get you?
What did your ex do this time?
How old do you have to be to rent a car?
Like the rest of us, characters will ask questions. They’ll ask to elicit information, to put another character on the spot, to relax another character. They may ask questions if they’re nervous or to fill the silence.
We ask questions for many reasons, and for the most part, we probably don’t think about it when we have our characters ask questions. But I’m going to suggest that writers and editors should pay more attention to questions, especially those of a certain type.
Tag Questions/Question Tags
Tag questions are questions tagged onto the end of a sentence.
You fed the dog, didn’t you?
He’s going to the movies with us, isn’t he?
You can babysit on Friday, can’t you?
You’re likely to be familiar with this format. A question follows a statement, with the question set off by a comma. These questions after statements have a variety of purposes.
They can be used to elicit agreement, for emphasis, to reveal the speaker’s uncertainty. They can even be used to raise doubts in those who hear the question.
That’s one ugly dog, don’t you think? (elicit agreement)
You will pay me now, won’t you? (for emphasis)
It looks good, doesn’t it? (uncertainty)
She could have done better, don’t you agree? (raise doubts)
Question tags are obviously a valid tool for crafting sentences, yet their use can diffuse the certainty of the declarative element of the sentence. That’s a valid purpose for their use, of course. Yet when such sentences are used too often, they can dilute the power of declarations.
If a character is always appealing to other characters—don’t you think so, do you, can you, isn’t it—the first character can come across as wishy-washy, indecisive, or weak. Now, if that’s the point of using tag questions again and again, that’s a legitimate use. But we typically want to create strong declarations in our text. We want to have characters declare that someone else is something. Using tag questions is like making a declaration and then pulling it back. It’s like trying to be bold and then smoothing over that boldness with oil to soothe the sting.
For the same reason we limit hedge words and phrases—to make bold declarations undimmed by hesitance—so we should limit tag questions that only seem to deliver strong messages but which in reality soften the blow with the question.
Hedges—he seemed angry, she was a bit quiet, the boy sort of hollered—don’t pack the same emotional punch that bold declarations do. He raged, she was quiet, the boy bellowed all make bolder statements, and it’s those bold statements that create tension, conflict, and emotional impacts and that lead to character reactions which in turn push the story forward.
Making declarations without afterward backing out of the boldness by using tag questions also helps create tension, conflict, and powerful emotional impacts.
If you find characters again and again adding questions to their declarations, consider dropping those questions. Do use them when they’re necessary to create a desired effect or when a character is looking for information. Use them even to show the diffident personality of a single character. But understand how they leach power from the rest of a sentence and don’t allow all characters to continuously use them. And if the character who does use tag questions to moderate his speech is a character who grows and changes during your story, consider switching his non-declarations into true declarations as the story progresses.
Allow characters to be bold, to say what you’d never say in polite society. Don’t imagine that you need to censor your characters, that they can’t sound mean or impolite or rude or demanding. It’s those bold characters who are remembered. It’s the ones who make declarations who stand out. It’s the ones whose emotions are unleashed who move the reader.
If characters make declarations in one breath but take them back in the next, there is no impact from the initial declaration. The original declaration is nullified.
But our characters don’t have to be like us, doing everything they can to get along with others. They’re allowed to rub each other the wrong way. They’re allowed to be rough rather than smooth, honest rather than always polite. Honest characters and the emotions that push them drive plot forward and make fiction emotionally satisfying.
A character who doesn’t want to offend, who doesn’t speak the truth, is less likely to be remembered. I’m not talking about intentional liars here; liars can be great characters. I’m talking about characters that writers make too timid to be of any use. Characters too nice to produce reactions in others.
Using tag questions over and over is just one way that a powerful plot can be weakened by the story’s execution. If you find that you’ve hamstrung your characters by having them first speak declarations only to pull those declarations back a moment later with tag questions, consider rewriting for boldness. Use tag questions deliberately to create effects, but watch out for the unintended effect of weakening your sentences and characters. If you’re doing all you can to write bold sentences and strong characters, make sure that you’re not unintentionally enervating them with tag questions.
I’ll leave you with a few sentences to consider for comparison. Any one of these sentences might be the perfect one at any given moment in a story. But too many of one kind or using the wrong sentence at the wrong time could cause the impact to fizzle before it’s done its work.
He’s a snake, isn’t he?
He’s a snake.
That man is a snake.
Max Grock is a snake.
If you wanted to make an impact, maybe reveal both Max Grock and the personality, the attitude, or the current emotional level of the speaker/viewpoint character, the final few options would be be more effective than the first example.
I like the last option. The harsh name and the pairing of the K sounds—the consonance—creates a strong impact. Even a feeling of harshness. The speaker is making his feelings known.
Check your manuscripts for question tags. Make sure that you’re using them purposely and that the effect you’re using them for isn’t overshadowed by an unintended negative effect. Let your words ring with power, with potency. Let declarations stand as declarations.
Tags: characters, question tags Posted in: Beyond the Basics, Craft & Style
I’m so glad you had this thought and turned it into an article, because it covers one of those things that make the difference between a good manuscript and a great one.
It’s the small efforts, like the one you have highlighted in this article, that show the author is/was prepared to do everything they could to raise the level of their writing.
Thanks, Beth, for pointing readers to this important topic. Have a safe and fun New Year’s celebration!
Maria, it really is the small touches that add up to a great manuscript. We can teach and we can learn all the big components, but it’s the little details that make a story memorable. Thanks for the confirmation.
And a happy new year to you as well. I hope it’s a productive and satisfying year for you.
Thanks very much, Beth. That’s one more excellent reason to review the manuscript one more time! Happy New Year to you and yours!
You’re welcome, Peter, And if you do check, just do a search for question marks. That should give you an idea if you have too many questions or too many in one area. And then you can make your changes.
I never thought of this before. You are absolutely right. It weakens the prose and the character saying it. Thanks so much. I’ve shared this post online. I wish you every success in the New Year! Thanks for helping writers with their manuscripts.
Victoria Marie, it’s an odd one indeed. And not one that’s noticeable until it’s used too often.
You are welcome. And thanks for all your tweeting and encouragement. I hope 2018 is wildly successful for you.
Interesting note. I will be paying attention now to see if I’ve done that.
A similar thing I noticed recently in two books was a declaratory statement followed by the one-word question, “Surely?” I re-read the lines a couple of times because I just couldn’t imagine someone talking like that.
Aloisa, I recently came across a few one-word explanations that seemed quite odd too, including however. As we’ve known all along, it pays to check every sentence for clarity and meaning.
The beautiful thing about fiction is that we can write dialogue that works, as opposed to how we, and others, speak. Sit somewhere with your ears open, like a coffee shop, and listen to the vagaries of conversation. “Right” and “whatever” and “See what I mean” along with dozens of others and the nervous approval laugh that often accompanies a declaration. All of those can be missing in dialogue. There are words that a character might use to soften their language, or we use to help define them. If it’s a speech pattern unique to a character that’s supposed to irritate the reader, okay. Like slang, we run the risk of alienating readers who don’t want to spend all their time wondering what was said. Sometimes it’s better to get to the point than engage int the mythic quest for dialect “authenticity.”
good enough and thank you for visiting online casino agents for Indonesia.
Here we are here to have enough money right of entry for fans
of sbobet casino who desire to associate the international agent site Promosbobet.
The products offered are unquestionably diverse and are extremely
the best choice. Derived from providers that have credibility and have
been proven to have the best predicate in serving their customers.
Providers subsequent to Sbobet, Maxbet and many more.
As the best online casino and soccer gambling site in Indonesia.
We pay for maximum benefits as soon as customer sustain that works online 24 full hours
every day. fittingly members can feint whenever and wherever without fearing to
slant the possibility of difficulties or confusion.
Maxbet Indonesia
Maxbet is one of the greatest leading igaming providers in Asian countries which
has already been established since 2004. Offering the best successful odds for just about all gambling members.
We also provide an recognized license from PAGCOR in order that we could
industry online gambling online games legally in Indonesia.
Now Maxbet or even Ibcbet are the most popular bookies in Indonesia because they provide innovative,
regulated and easily available gambling products through Maxbet mobile.
Right now Maxbet Indonesia is an revolutionary bookie because we always introduce the latest
online gambling games and our team is always trying to be able to update the
internet betting system to ensure it can offer members together
with the best betting experience. The biggest chances of
earning, the confidentiality of member privacy data, and secure payments will also end up being obtained by users on Maxbet, this specific makes us the most
used in Indonesia.
Usernesia Alternative Link
By means of online gambling games, you will get income
as well as amusement without having to leave your
comfort and ease at home. One of the sites which
offers the best internet gambling games within Indonesia
is Usernesia. Through this web site, you can find a number
of00 interesting and popular gambling video games like soccer betting, online slots, on-line casino,
lottery, on the internet poker, arcade video games and
so upon.
Unlike other gambling sites that you can locate on the world wide web, Usernesia gives an individual various conveniences within online gambling online games.
As a brand new member, you may be given a lot of convenience in enrolling, getting lucrative bonus deals, including
an alternate Usernesia link of which you can access and never have to experience difficulties being blocked or
perhaps having to use a new VPN.
Quite Functional Account Registration Through Usernesia
For anyone who else can’t wait in order to join and be in the
best and many trusted gambling online game in Usernesia, the particular method is quite useful.
All you need to do is look at the official website at http://www.userbolavip.net or even the
Usernesia option link which you may quickly access via the above.
We will always update if the particular link from the particular button above are
not able to be accessed by our members and prospective members.
USERNESIA: Official Alternative Url to Usernesia Website
Finding the right and most reliable destination to play online gambling is now the primary
requirement if you want to be successful in e-commerce.
It won’t matter what game you play, be it soccer gambling,
lottery gambling, online casino gambling, online
slots or even cockfighting. If you can’t
choose a reliable gambling site, then you will end up in failure.
As a result, it is crucial for those of you who are a new comer to the online gambling industry to know very well
what conditions a site must meet so that it can be said as the best and most trustworthy online gambling
site.
Provide an Official Permit
The initial and most important thing that you should
pay attention to is the required permit ownership of the online gambling site that you will make as a
partner to play gambling online. This official license is evidence which a site
has guaranteed service and is able to provide what players expect in accordance with international online gambling
standards.
Complete & Quality Online game
Regarding course you want to play on a gambling site that has complete games.
Doing this, you no longer need to look for other gambling places to find the game you want.
Not only complete, the games provided should also be of high quality and have used the latest technology.
Usernesia
Usernesia is one of the Largest Official Internet gambling Agents in Indonesia.
Usernesia is among the best selections for you
because Usernesia already posseses an official license
and is also registered at the center of the World Online Betting company.
In addition, Usernesia also provides products that are complete with technology which has been tested by
World Gambling experts.
Services Provided by Usernesia
Usernesia is one of the biggest Online Wagering Official Agents that provide the best service, Usernesia provides your facilities to be
served immediately by professional and friendly customer service.
Additionally , Usernesia Client Service is also in charge of keeping you
safe at playing, and not only the service provided is fantastic
but the events given to members are also fantastic, of course.
The Benefits of Usernesia’s Site As compared to Other Websites
Usernesia provides a very complete game that has passed the test from Planet Gambling experts.
Usernesia is also one of the firms that has squeezed the best internet gambling site reward.
In addition to this, the Usernesia Official Web site also
has a very fast transaction service in just under 4 minutes to
make deposit and disengagement transactions.
Usernesia also has a very high stage of security so that it
can be trustworthy, and Usernesia is one of the Official Sites that has never been struggling
and always provides satisfaction to Usernesia members.
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m now not certain whether
or not this put up is written through him as no one else
understand such distinctive about my difficulty. You’re wonderful!
Thank you!
The Most Trusted Soccer Gambling Broker in Indonesia Serving Lists of Gambling and Casino
Gambling
Userbola is the particular Most Trusted and Recognized SBOBET Agent in Philippines.
We serve bets that will provide soccer gambling video games, online
gambling games, online casino gambling agents, poker and online lottery.
We will certainly wholeheartedly always be ready to help whatever you
need and help you when there are difficulties
in generating SBOBET Online Betting Company accounts,
MAXBET Agents or formerly referred to as IBCBET,
Serba4d or perhaps KLIK4D lottery.
New twenty percent Member Bonus with the Best and a lot Trustworthy Football Gambling Real estate agent
Userbola will be the Best SGD777 Situs as well as the Largest Football Agency
in Philippines, always offering 24-hour online service with the need to stop in the process of
registering, lodging, withdrawing and responding in order to your every complaint.
For more information, please go directly to livechat plus chat directly with our friendly CS
Register for Sbobet right now!
Total Choice for Reliable Soccer Gambling and Online casino Brokers
Regarding you fans of gambling soccer matches both international
and domestic, reliable soccer gambling provides various complements from worldwide.
Not simply that, basketball, golf in addition to eSports tournaments will also be here.
Especially for connoisseurs of Casino Agents, we have
got the most complete range associated with games starting from Baccarat,
Poker, Keno, Slot machine game and many more.
Userbola is one of the trusted football wagering sites that functions as a real estate agent of typically the world’s
major soccer betting shops like SBOBET, Ibcbet plus Mahabet Sport.
You may definitely get a pleasant experience while betting due to the interesting features made available from this website.
Userbola has a specialist service when you make down payment transaction until pulling out money.
One which just enter the football gambling game on Userbola you must register 1st and become a customer.
The strategy is very effortless, all you have in order
to do is click about the list and enter in the registration form webpage and you
will proceed directly to our major website.
you can find not many gambling sites in Philippines that can hold typically
the title as the finest slot gambling site.
One of all of them is BandarUsernesia. This site presents numerous
types of slot gambling games coming from well-known providers such as Pragmatic Enjoy, Habanero Systems,
Microgaming, and so on for slot wagering fans in Dalam negri.
Using a fantastic graphic display and razor-sharp and attractive colors, BandarUsernesia has succeeded in providing the particular maximum online gambling knowledge for
its loyal customers. Not to mention the extraordinary bonuses and promos of
which you can obtain on many events. The more often you play,
the more your chance associated with getting these advertisements and bonuses.
BandarUsernesia is equipped along with unique features of which
are prepared to be able to keep players comfortable who will be attached to be able
to this site every day. Are the following.
Complete Game
Even though it is more commonly known as a web based gambling
slot internet site, BandarUsernesia also offers other types regarding gambling games
these kinds of as soccer gambling, casino gambling, online poker,
and many additional exotic gambling video games that you could find on this specific site.
Are you currently a lover of online slot betting games?
This game has existed for hundreds of years but continues to be one of ended up being games in Usernesia even in luxury gambling places
like Las Vegas or Macau, slot machines are always
neatly lined up waiting for followers to pull levers and win jackpots that reach billions of rupiah..
However did you know if this game was at first considered a
flop game? Sure, at the start of this game created by their
creator named Charles August Fey in 1894 in the United States, this machine was intended as an automated poker game machine
that could be moved using coins.
After attempting to build his idea into actuality, Fey finally quit and considered his discovery a failing.
But who would have thought that all this machine turned out to be one
of the most widely used video games in the world. Not only in slot gambling video games provided by
betting houses but also the concept utilized by various games as a “bonus game”.
This is where the game relating to the RNG or Arbitrary
Number Generator was initiated, where the machine will assign random
values that will determine what you will
get each and every round of the sport. Not only slots but in addition games like
virtual sports activities or bonus online games like gacha also
use this kind of concept.