attribution and quotation reporting and writing reporting and writing journalism and media studies...

Attribution and QuotationAttribution and Quotation

Reporting and WritingReporting and Writing Journalism and Media Studies CentreJournalism and Media Studies Centre The University of Hong KongThe University of Hong Kong

Kevin DrewKevin Drew

Attribution and QuotationAttribution and Quotation

Reporters are not usually experts in the topics Reporters are not usually experts in the topics they write about. They rely on experts to be they write about. They rely on experts to be their sources of information. their sources of information.

The process of identifying sources of The process of identifying sources of information for readers and viewers is known information for readers and viewers is known as attribution.as attribution.

AttributionAttribution

--Attribute information to people, documents --Attribute information to people, documents or publications, not places or institutions.or publications, not places or institutions.

Incorrect:Incorrect: The immigration department said The immigration department said the exemption was denied.the exemption was denied.

Correct:Correct: An immigration department An immigration department spokesman said the exemption was denied.spokesman said the exemption was denied.

Levels of AttributionLevels of Attribution

--On the record. (full use)--On the record. (full use)

--On background. (do not use source’s name)--On background. (do not use source’s name)

--On deep background. (do not use source’s --On deep background. (do not use source’s name, occupation or place of work)name, occupation or place of work)

--Off the record. (do not use any information; --Off the record. (do not use any information; so what is the point of it?)so what is the point of it?)

--Be sure of terms, then stick to them. --Be sure of terms, then stick to them. Anonymous sources are dangerous.Anonymous sources are dangerous.

Statements Requiring Statements Requiring AttributionAttribution

--When the statement is controversial:--When the statement is controversial:

Unattributed:Unattributed: Mainland authorities have Mainland authorities have sabotaged democratic development in Hong sabotaged democratic development in Hong Kong.Kong.

Attributed:Attributed: Human rights advocate Chew Human rights advocate Chew Wing said mainland authorities have Wing said mainland authorities have sabotaged democratic development in Hong sabotaged democratic development in Hong Kong. Kong.


--When the statement is an opinion:--When the statement is an opinion:

Unattributed:Unattributed: The Immigration Department The Immigration Department employs lowly skilled people who can’t find employs lowly skilled people who can’t find jobs elsewhere.jobs elsewhere.

Attributed:Attributed: Human rights advocate Chew Human rights advocate Chew Wing said the Immigration Department Wing said the Immigration Department employs lowly skilled people who can’t find employs lowly skilled people who can’t find jobs elsewhere.jobs elsewhere.


--When the statement is a direct or an indirect --When the statement is a direct or an indirect quote:quote:

Unattributed:Unattributed: The media is guilty of a The media is guilty of a “double standard” in its coverage of the “double standard” in its coverage of the students.students.

Attributed:Attributed: The media is guilty of a “double The media is guilty of a “double standard” in its coverage of the students, the standard” in its coverage of the students, the Secretary for Security said.Secretary for Security said.


--When the statement assigns blame, or --When the statement assigns blame, or suggests explanation some may dispute:suggests explanation some may dispute:

Unattributed:Unattributed: Acting in self-defense, the Acting in self-defense, the Pokfulam-based police officer shot the teen Pokfulam-based police officer shot the teen three times in the head.three times in the head.

Attributed:Attributed: The Pokfulam-based police The Pokfulam-based police officer said he was acting in self-defense when officer said he was acting in self-defense when he shot the teen three times in the head. he shot the teen three times in the head.

Attributive WordsAttributive Words

--Attributive words are accurate, impartial.--Attributive words are accurate, impartial.

It is hard to beat “said.”It is hard to beat “said.”

--Some writers try with “replied,” “declared,” --Some writers try with “replied,” “declared,” “added,” “explained,” “stated,” “pointed out,” “added,” “explained,” “stated,” “pointed out,” and many others, but each of these has a and many others, but each of these has a specific meaning or connotation. specific meaning or connotation.

--The use of the word must reflect the source’s --The use of the word must reflect the source’s meaning.meaning.


--“Explained” is a good example of an --“Explained” is a good example of an attributive word that is often misused.attributive word that is often misused.

--“Explained” means to have made something --“Explained” means to have made something more comprehensible. Unless the source was more comprehensible. Unless the source was discussing a complicated or obscure topic, discussing a complicated or obscure topic, “explained” is the wrong word to use.“explained” is the wrong word to use.


--Explaining “explained”:--Explaining “explained”:

Yes:Yes: He explained that people new to Hong He explained that people new to Hong Kong may suffer physical illness because their Kong may suffer physical illness because their body is unaccustomed to coping with body is unaccustomed to coping with pollutants called “respirable suspended pollutants called “respirable suspended particulates.”particulates.”

No:No: The pollution experts will speak at noon in The pollution experts will speak at noon in the Ming Wah complex, he explained.the Ming Wah complex, he explained.


--Avoid “hoped,” “felt,” and “believed.” You --Avoid “hoped,” “felt,” and “believed.” You only know what your sources told you, not only know what your sources told you, not what they hoped, felt or believed.what they hoped, felt or believed.

--Sources speak words -- they do not “grin,” --Sources speak words -- they do not “grin,” “smile” or “laugh” words.“smile” or “laugh” words.

Yes:Yes: “Nice to meet you,” Chew said, smiling. “Nice to meet you,” Chew said, smiling.

No:No: “Nice to meet you, Wing,” Chew smiled. “Nice to meet you, Wing,” Chew smiled.


--Avoid attributive words like “claimed” or --Avoid attributive words like “claimed” or “admitted,” unless their specific meaning “admitted,” unless their specific meaning applies to the situation.applies to the situation.

--“Claimed” casts doubt on someone’s words.--“Claimed” casts doubt on someone’s words.

--“Admitted” implies the source is confessing --“Admitted” implies the source is confessing to something.to something.


--What do the following have in common?--What do the following have in common?

Made it clear that; further stated that.Made it clear that; further stated that.

Went on to say that; let it be known that.Went on to say that; let it be known that.

Also pointed out that; emphasized the fact that.Also pointed out that; emphasized the fact that.

Stated in the report that; said he feels that.Stated in the report that; said he feels that.

Brought out the idea that.Brought out the idea that.


--All can replaced by either --All can replaced by either “said” or “added.”“said” or “added.”


--Attribution can come at the beginning or the --Attribution can come at the beginning or the end of a sentence, or at a natural break within end of a sentence, or at a natural break within it.it.--In the example below, the break is not --In the example below, the break is not natural.natural.

Yes:Yes: “I shall return,” Wing said. “I shall return,” Wing said.

No:No: “I shall,” Wing said, “return.” “I shall,” Wing said, “return.”


--Here is an example of where attribution in --Here is an example of where attribution in the middle of a sentence works, because the the middle of a sentence works, because the break is natural and helps emphasize a point break is natural and helps emphasize a point the speaker is making – in this case, an ironic the speaker is making – in this case, an ironic one.one.

“ “Some legislators are thoughtful and hard-Some legislators are thoughtful and hard-working,” the chief executive said, “and some working,” the chief executive said, “and some are actually cooperative.”are actually cooperative.”


--If a quote is long, attribution is best at the --If a quote is long, attribution is best at the beginning, or at first natural break.beginning, or at first natural break.

“ “Even if I don’t believe it’s time for direct Even if I don’t believe it’s time for direct elections,” Tsang said, “make no mistake I am elections,” Tsang said, “make no mistake I am proud of what I’ve done. I have kept us on the proud of what I’ve done. I have kept us on the ‘two systems, one country’ model. I have ‘two systems, one country’ model. I have brought prosperity. I am just and fair.”brought prosperity. I am just and fair.”


--Attribution should be at start of a sentence --Attribution should be at start of a sentence when the speakers in consecutive sentences when the speakers in consecutive sentences change. What is wrong with this?change. What is wrong with this?

The editor no longer accepts ads for horse-race The editor no longer accepts ads for horse-race betting. He said, “Betting only hurts people.”betting. He said, “Betting only hurts people.”

“ “Editors have no right to pass judgment on Editors have no right to pass judgment on this; they might as well stop taking movie ads, this; they might as well stop taking movie ads, too,” a horse-racing fan said.too,” a horse-racing fan said.


--That’s right, when people begin reading or hearing --That’s right, when people begin reading or hearing the second paragraph, they think the editor is still the second paragraph, they think the editor is still speaking, but he isn’t. The speaker has changed. It’s speaking, but he isn’t. The speaker has changed. It’s easy to fix:easy to fix:

A horse-racing fan said editors have no right to pass A horse-racing fan said editors have no right to pass

judgment on the issue. “They might as well stop judgment on the issue. “They might as well stop taking movie ads, too,” the fan said.taking movie ads, too,” the fan said.

..

QuotationQuotation

--Direct quotations are a source’s exact words --Direct quotations are a source’s exact words and go entirely in quotation marks.and go entirely in quotation marks.

--Indirect quotations are when reporters use --Indirect quotations are when reporters use their own words to paraphrase the source; their own words to paraphrase the source; these do not have quotation marks.these do not have quotation marks.

--Partial quotations are when reporters use --Partial quotations are when reporters use only key words or phrases from a remark.only key words or phrases from a remark.

QuotationQuotation

Direct:Direct: “I support democracy, but it will be “I support democracy, but it will be dangerous if we go too fast,” said Chew Wing. dangerous if we go too fast,” said Chew Wing.

Indirect:Indirect: Wing said that while he supports Wing said that while he supports democracy, it is dangerous to move toward it democracy, it is dangerous to move toward it too fast. too fast.

Partial:Partial: Wing said he supports democracy, but Wing said he supports democracy, but “it will be dangerous if we go too fast.” “it will be dangerous if we go too fast.”

Quotations – When to UseQuotations – When to Use

--Use quotations to let sources talk directly to --Use quotations to let sources talk directly to people.people.

--Use quotations when you cannot improve on --Use quotations when you cannot improve on speaker’s exact words.speaker’s exact words.

--Use quotations to tie a controversial opinion --Use quotations to tie a controversial opinion to a source.to a source.

--Use quotations as evidence of a statement, or --Use quotations as evidence of a statement, or to reveal the speaker’s character.to reveal the speaker’s character.


--Use indirect quotations when speakers have --Use indirect quotations when speakers have not stated ideas effectively.not stated ideas effectively.

--Use partial quotations when a key phrase --Use partial quotations when a key phrase helps communicate an idea effectively, or helps communicate an idea effectively, or when necessary to attribute a controversial when necessary to attribute a controversial statement. statement.

Example: Wing said he killed the boy Example: Wing said he killed the boy “because he laughed at me.”“because he laughed at me.”


--Two partial quotes in the same sentence are --Two partial quotes in the same sentence are distracting.distracting.

--Avoid using “orphan” quotes – that is, quotes --Avoid using “orphan” quotes – that is, quotes around a single word.around a single word.

Example: He complained that no one Example: He complained that no one “understands” his problem.“understands” his problem.

A quote such as that calls attention to the A quote such as that calls attention to the word, perhaps unfairly or inaccurately.word, perhaps unfairly or inaccurately.


--Direct quotations should illustrate a point, --Direct quotations should illustrate a point, not tell the whole story. Use them when they not tell the whole story. Use them when they help tell a better story; don’t use them just help tell a better story; don’t use them just because you’re stuck on where to go next.because you’re stuck on where to go next.

--A weak quote is worse than no quote. If a --A weak quote is worse than no quote. If a quote bores or confuses people, they will lose quote bores or confuses people, they will lose interest in the story.interest in the story.


--Using quotation to illustrate a point:--Using quotation to illustrate a point:

Wu said proponents of full democracy such as Wu said proponents of full democracy such as Democratic Party legislator Martin Lee know Democratic Party legislator Martin Lee know little about the economy and will wreak havoc little about the economy and will wreak havoc if they gain power.if they gain power.

“ “If Lee became chief executive, the Hang Seng If Lee became chief executive, the Hang Seng index would fall to 3,000 and he wouldn’t index would fall to 3,000 and he wouldn’t have a clue what to do about it,” Wu said. have a clue what to do about it,” Wu said.

Quotations – When NOT to UseQuotations – When NOT to Use

--Example of weak quotation that bores and --Example of weak quotation that bores and confuses:confuses:

“ “For the type of commission we are, you For the type of commission we are, you would expect that particular paradigm,” he would expect that particular paradigm,” he said. said.

He said what? Get rid of it.He said what? Get rid of it.

Quotations -- When to UseQuotations -- When to Use

--If the commission’s chairman said, “We did --If the commission’s chairman said, “We did a fantastic job because we have fantastic a fantastic job because we have fantastic people working for us,” and if such a quotation people working for us,” and if such a quotation is related to a point in your story, use it.is related to a point in your story, use it.

--It’s clear, everyone understands what he is --It’s clear, everyone understands what he is saying, and it has the added advantage of saying, and it has the added advantage of putting someone on the record with a boast he putting someone on the record with a boast he may later regret. may later regret.

Quotations -- When NOT to UseQuotations -- When NOT to Use

--Sometimes reporters start a paragraph with a --Sometimes reporters start a paragraph with a quotation that takes awhile to understand quotation that takes awhile to understand because people need background information because people need background information to understand it. to understand it.

--For example:--For example:

“ “We’re mobilizing for an economic war with We’re mobilizing for an economic war with other cities in Asia,” the chief executive said other cities in Asia,” the chief executive said of his plan for attracting new business to the of his plan for attracting new business to the city.city.

Quotations -- When to UseQuotations -- When to Use

--That construction forces people to complete --That construction forces people to complete the sentence before they can figure out the the sentence before they can figure out the topic. Instead, turn the sentence around and topic. Instead, turn the sentence around and use partial or indirect quotation. use partial or indirect quotation. For example:For example:

The chief executive said his plan for attracting The chief executive said his plan for attracting new business was a mobilization for an new business was a mobilization for an economic war with other cities in Asia.economic war with other cities in Asia.

Quotations – To clean or not to?Quotations – To clean or not to?

--Two views on “cleaning up” quotes:--Two views on “cleaning up” quotes:

1) It’s okay to correct grammar and obvious 1) It’s okay to correct grammar and obvious factual errors, especially with people not used factual errors, especially with people not used to dealing with the media.to dealing with the media.

2) It’s never okay. Every word inside quotation 2) It’s never okay. Every word inside quotation marks has to be the speaker’s words. The marks has to be the speaker’s words. The purists fear that any changes make it easier for purists fear that any changes make it easier for sources to claim misquotation.sources to claim misquotation.

attribution and quotation reporting and writing reporting and writing journalism and media studies...

Documents

sources of information

anonymous sources

skilled people

attribute information

levels of attribution

mainland authorities

democratic development

deep background