Writing: Quotes & Attribution

2008 ASNE Reynolds High SchoolJournalism Institute - Arizona State University

Steve Elliott: steve.elliott@asu.eduDirector, Cronkite News Service and Professor of Practice

Quotes• Use quotes to do this:

– Provide color and opinion.– Add authenticity.– Increase reader interest.– Personalize a story.

• Don’t use quotes just to use quotes– Can become filler

• Quote, transition, quote, transition …– Remember: YOU are telling the story.

Weak Quotes• Quotes shouldn’t provide basic info

– “The explosion occurred at 9:30 a.m.,” he said.– Paraphrase basic information.

• Quotes shouldn’t require qualification– “It is a lot to deal with,” Elliott said of the

change to MMR requirements that forced him to dig up decades-old records for ASU.

• Quotes shouldn’t run on

Strong Quotes• Punchy, direct and in context.

– "What's the sin of the children? What have they done?“

– “Dying is beautiful _ even the first time around, at the ripe old age of 20.”

– "There were some real heroes at this Scout camp," (Nebraska) Gov. Chet Culver said.

Fragmentary Quotes• With few exceptions, avoid them

– Often taken out of context.– Sentiment almost always clearer paraphrased.

• Avoid ellipses if at all possible– Tough for reader to follow.– Usually a sign that quote’s no good.

• Avoid parentheses: “(Elliott) said …”– Usually can cure this with better transition.

Attribution• Use SAID• “This is the best workshop I’ve ever

attended,” said Mr. Joe Doe, Bigtown High School teacher. “It was packed full of great ideas that I can use in my classroom every day.”

• Don’t use noted, commented, added, stated, told, etc.

Attribution section by: Robert J. Courtemanche, CJE rcourtemanche@galenaparkisd.com

It contains our local style - AP style is that all people are treated the same as we treat adults and does not use courtesy titles.

Attribution• Almost always try to put the attribution after

the first sentence of a quote or break a long quote at a natural place and start with said.

• “I’ve never been so excited,” said Mr. Joe Doe, Bigtown High School teacher “as when I spent my one weekend off from the Institute driving up to the Grand Canyon.”

Attribution• On first reference, always use their full name

and title. Our local style also says that adults get a courtesy title (Mr. or Ms.).

• “I’ve never been so excited,” said Mr. Joe Doe, Bigtown High School teacher “as when I spent my one weekend off from the Institute driving up to the Grand Canyon.”

Attribution• On second reference, use only their last

name. Our local style also says that adults get a courtesy title (Mr. or Ms.).

• “Just being at the Grand Canyon was almost a religious experience, it was so peaceful and awe inspiring,” Mr. Doe said.

Attribution• On first reference for students, use their

grade level (freshman, sophomore, junior or senior) and their full name.

• “I enjoyed going to the communications camp at Texas A&M,” said senior Janey Laney. “Everyone won a trophy or some kind of award this year.”

Attribution• On second reference, our local style is that

students use only their first name, unless there are two students in the story with the same name.

• “The Aggies were so funny. They have their own way of doing everything, like how they hiss when they don’t like something,” Janey said.

Attribution• Notice how buried attribution starts with said, but

attribution at the end of a quote ends with said. • “I enjoyed going to the communications camp at

Texas A&M,” said senior Janey Laney. “Everyone won a trophy or some kind of award this year.”

• “The Aggies were so funny. They have their own way of doing everything, like how they hiss when they don’t like something,” Janey said.