Some excellent markers from Wolfenshire... A couple of pointers I would like to add:

In conversation, when changing from one speaker to another, always begin a new paragraph. Following this rule allows the author to omit many of the dialogue tags in a conversation between two characters with just the occasional one to keep the reader on track.

Following on from this and something I struggled to find a rule for. During a long length of monologue, how to split the speech into paragraphs without the reader assuming the new paragraph indicated a change of character. The accepted standard: Begin the speech with the quotation marks as normal. At the end of the paragraph, no closing quote mark. At the start of the new paragraph, opening quote to show dialogue continues and the same for any additional paragraphs. Final paragraph to end with quote as normal. Example:

Character A said, "I start with Yakkity yakkity yakkity yakkity yak.

"Rhubarb rhubarb hubarb prunes and custard.

"And this is where I end my speech." Note placing of quotes " and " )

Finally, in the abused dialogue tag section of your post, you missed out everyone's favourite. "What the hell!" he ejaculated.

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As a writer, I control the lives of millions. Whole worlds can be destroyed by typing the correct sequence of letters on my keyboard.

Robert A. Read