quotations and attributions 2011

Quotations and AttributionsStratton 20111

Basic Rules to FollowRule #1: Never create, invent or manufacture

quotations

Rule #2: Always be a good observer

Rule #3: Choose quotes wisely

Rule #4: Better to not use quote than use poor quote

Rule #5: Punctuation marks go inside quotes

Rule #6: Always attribute every statement & opinion

Rule #7: Quotations should begin new paragraph

Rule #8: If a quote needs explaining then paraphrase instead

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Uses of Quotes1.Provides color

2.Lends authenticity and realism to the story

3.Increase reader interest in the story

4.Personalizes the story for the reader

5.Moves the story along

6.Reveals something crucial about the subject

7.Expresses a thought better than the writer can

8.Reveals character traits about a subject

9.Captures dramatic moments better than exposition could

10.Suggest universal truths

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Types of Quotations

1. Direct quotations

2. Indirect quotations

3. Paraphrased quotations

4. Partial quotations

5. Dialogue

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Direct Quotes

Uses the person's exact words.

Contained in quotation marks.

Reports word-for-word what a speaker said.

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Direct Quotes

Faulty grammar may be polished if the person you are quoting would recognize the error in print.

Quote must…

the substance of the remark in full accuracy

the spirit in which the remark was made

the typical language used by the speaker

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Using Direct Quotes

Use quote if it is particularly articulate or powerful in the wording

Most people do not speak in a way which translates well into a quote

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Using Direct Quotes

Only use a quote if it conveys something not communicated better in your own words

If it isn’t articulate (clear), then a better strategy is paraphrasing what the subject has told you

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Direct Quote Example In an interview, for example, the speaker may tend to ramble. Suppose the speaker, Principal Don Jackson, actually said:

“Well, ah, what I’m trying to get across is, maybe we ought to consider, ah, whether or not the students, you know, should be allowed to smoke anywhere on this campus.”

In print the quoted remark probably would be simplified to:

“We ought to consider whether or not students should be allowed to smoke anywhere on this campus.”

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Direct Quotes

If the subject is well known, then a direct quote may be appropriate

The more significant the interviewee is, the more likely a reader will be interested

Make sure the quote is used to add a unique angle or credibility to the story

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Direct Quotes

If the quote is quirky or captures the source’s personality

If it is emotional or highly opinionated

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Indirect quotations

Mostly uses the person's ideas in their words.

A few words my be changed for clarification.

Not in quotation marks as words are not exactly what person said.

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Paraphrased quotations

Paraphrasing means using the ideas of an author, but not using his or her exact words.

Uses the reporters words & terms.

The meaning should be the same.

No quotation marks used.

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Partial quotations

A combination of direct and paraphrased quotations.

Will have some words in quotation marks.

AP states this style is overused by professionals.

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Dialogue

Combines two or more speakers.

Often seen in feature stories & magazines.

May be seen in trial court reporting.

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Quotations Examples Part 1Direct Quotation: “We ought to consider whether or not students should be allowed to smoke anywhere on this campus,” Don Jackson, principal, said.

Indirect Quotation: Jackson said the administration ought to consider whether or not students should be allowed to smoke on campus.

Paraphrase: Jackson raised the question of students smoking on campus.

Partial Quotation: Jackson urged the administration to consider banning student smoking on campus to eliminate “the disgusting mess left in the smoking area.”

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Quotations Examples Part 2Dialogue: • The assembly became electrified.

• “Should we be thumping our chests and telling the world?” Principal Don Jackson bellowed to the student body after announcing that South had been recognized as one of the top schools in the nation.

• “Yes, yes, yes,” they echoed back.

• “Are we proud?” he asked.

• “Yes, yes, yes,” they replied.

• “We are...” yelled Jackson.

• “South Eugene,” screamed the students.

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Ide

ntif y the Q

uote

Type

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1.Direct quotations

2.Indirect quotations

3.Paraphrased quotations

4.Partial quotations

5.Dialogue

1."We have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Moammar Gadhafi has been killed," Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril told a news conference in the capital Tripoli.

2.Celebratory gunfire and cries of "Allahu Akbar" or "God is Great" rang out across the capital Tripoli.

3.Libya's new leaders had said they would declare the country's "liberation" after the fall of Sirte.

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4

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Ide

ntif y the Q

uote

Type

2

1.Direct quotations

2.Indirect quotations

3.Paraphrased

quotations

4.Partial quotations

5.Dialogue

1.NOAA issued their annual winter outlook for the United States Thursday and it certainly has a La Nina flavor to it, meaning the Pacific Northwest is likely in for another wet and cool winter.

2.Tusko weighs 13,000 pounds, Zoo officials said.

3.“The birth of a new calf is an incredibly enriching event in these animals’ lives,” said Mike Keele, the zoo’s director of elephant habitats and one of North America’s leading Asian elephant experts.

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2

1

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Ide

ntif y the Q

uote

Type

3

1.Direct quotations

2.Indirect quotations

3.Paraphrased

quotations

4.Partial quotations

5.Dialogue

1.After the new hires, the plant will have a total workforce of about 1,050, Daum said. Plant jobs start at $12 an hour and top out at $23 to $25 an hour.

2.Proponents say the move is key in preventing teen pregnancy and promoting student health.

3.At Canby's 2-year-old center, students have access to select "reproductive health" services, a requirement for school-based health centers in Oregon.

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3

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Ide

ntif y the Q

uote

Type

4

1.Direct quotations

2.Indirect quotations

3.Paraphrased

quotations

4.Partial quotations

5.Dialogue

1. In early March, we sat down at his kitchen counter in downtown New York City over sushi to talk about his career.

CHRISTOPHER BOLLEN: You're considered one of Georgia's native sons. But in reality, you grew up on army bases all around the country, didn't you?

MICHAEL STIPE: I was born in Georgia. That's where my grandparents-and all my people-are from. But my family traveled a great deal because my dad was in the army as a helicopter pilot.

Bollen: How did music first get into the ears of an army kid?

Stipe: Music really started when I read about the CBGB scene in New York in a magazine called Rock Scene. And then I accidentally got a subscription to The Village Voice when I was 14.

2.Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he is free of cancer after returning from Cuba for health checks, four months following surgery there.

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2

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Ide

ntif y the Q

uote

Type

5

1.Direct quotations

2.Indirect quotations

3.Paraphrased

quotations

4.Partial quotations

5.Dialogue

1. Eight children and four young adults are put in protective custody in Philadelphia amid a probe into the chaining of four people in a so-called 'dungeon'.

2. Authorities say at least 105 people have died in flooding and landslides provoked by 10 days of heavy rains in Central America.

3. Steve Honig, Lohan's spokesman, said in a statement that the actress was late because she didn't know which entrance to report to and "and confusion caused by the media waiting for her arrival."

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Quote Problems

Avoid rambling quotes

Avoid quotes with too much technical lingo

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Quoting Accurately

If the grammar is poor, then some reporters will “clean up” the quote

This practice varies by publication

Generally not done

HOWEVER, if the interview was witnessed by multiple media outlets (example: press conference) then you should leave the quotes alone

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(sic)

If you want to be cautious, then you can use the “(sic)” notation in your printed quote to notate a grammatical error made by your subject

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Editing Quotes

Never make up a quote

Don’t add words to a quote

Exception: You may “clean up” the grammar if it is minimal and does not change the context or meaning

[Be sure to put the changed words in brackets]

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Attribution

In most cases, the simple verb “said” is appropriate since it is neutral

Example: “This is a quote,” the teacher said.

There are other verbs you can use, but be conservative

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Verbs to Avoid

Minimize use of attribution verbs which are not neutral

“ ,” he cried.

“ ,” she emphasized.

“ ,” she contended.

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Identification in Attribution

Attribute with the name and job title.

AFTER Example: “This year’s textbooks are going to be more expensive,” Mary Smith, librarian, said.

Use this method!

BEFORE Example: Mary Smith, librarian, said “This year’s textbooks are going to be more expensive.”

Avoid this method

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Middle Initials AP Stylebook recommends that you use them.

Particularly in hard news stories where they help identify a specific individual, such as casualty lists and stories naming the accused in a crime. This helps to minimize confusion.

A middle initial may be dropped if a person does not use one or is publicly known without it: Mickey Mantle (not Mickey C.), the Rev. Billy Graham (not Billy F.).

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Talking to Sources

Many of the best stories will not originate from a news release

By nurturing your sources, you will be more likely to get closer to the truth

The longer you work with a source, the more likely you are to determine the relevance of the information that comes from that source

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Sources

Some sources will want to remain anonymous

Avoid this

If you agree to keep their identity private, it is unethical to reveal their names to anyone except your editor and advisor (high school)

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Exceptions:

Government subpoena (real world only)

If it is determined to jeopardize the national security or is essential is solving a crime

Publication policy

Due to some problems with reporter integrity, some publications are now requiring reporters to share the identity of the anonymous reporter with their supervising editor or advisor

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Recent Example

Josh Wolf was in jail for 226 days for refusing to turn over raw news video footage to authorities

This is the longest time a journalist has been imprisoned in the U.S. for protecting source materials

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Use Caution Be aware of sources that have an axe to grind

Do they have an agenda?

Are they telling the truth?

Are they reliable?

Substance abuse = suspicion

Do they really have a direct connection to the news event?

Be careful of “hearsay”

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Gossip Alert

A newspaper is not supposed to be a tabloid

Verify information provided by your sources

Is the information relevant to the news value of the story?

Juicy “gossip” may not equate to news

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Anonymous Sources

On the record – Everything can be quoted with attribution

Background – Everything can be quoted but no attribution

Deep background – No quotes can be used, no attribution – but information can be used

Off the record – No quotes, no attribution

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Policies

Some publications do not allow anonymous sources, especially high school publications

Some require you to disclose the info to your superior; editor, advisor

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“Off the Record”

Hotly debated topic

Is it ethical to gather info “off the record”?

Should everything be fair game?

Can you use information gained “off the record” without directly quoting the information or source?

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Remember: Basic Rules to FollowRule #1: Never create, invent or manufacture

quotations

Rule #2: Always be a good observer

Rule #3: Choose quotes wisely

Rule #4: Better to not use quote than use poor quote

Rule #5: Punctuation marks go inside quotes

Rule #6: Always attribute every statement & opinion

Rule #7: Quotations should begin new paragraph

Rule #8: If a quote needs explaining then paraphrase instead

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