““Quotations” and Quotations” and Attribution Attribution

Chapter 9Chapter 9

““Why Use Quotes?” he asked. Why Use Quotes?” he asked.

Because quotations add color and Because quotations add color and interest to news stories by allowing interest to news stories by allowing readers to “hear” many voices rather readers to “hear” many voices rather than just the voice of the writer.than just the voice of the writer.

Three types of quotes: Three types of quotes: • Direct—present a source’s exact wordsDirect—present a source’s exact words• Indirect– aka paraphrasingIndirect– aka paraphrasing• Partial– key phrases from a source’s Partial– key phrases from a source’s

statement and quote them directlystatement and quote them directly

When to use direct quotes:When to use direct quotes:

Reporters use direct quotations when Reporters use direct quotations when their sources say something their sources say something important or controversial and/or important or controversial and/or state their ideas in an interesting, state their ideas in an interesting, unusual or colorful manner. unusual or colorful manner.

To tie a controversial opinion to the To tie a controversial opinion to the source…to reveal the speaker’s source…to reveal the speaker’s character…when you cannot improve character…when you cannot improve on the speaker’s exact wordson the speaker’s exact words

Using Direct QuotesUsing Direct Quotes

To illustrate a point, not tell an entire To illustrate a point, not tell an entire story. Quotes should not be the story. Quotes should not be the entire storyentire story

Reporters often summarize a major Reporters often summarize a major point, then use a direct quotation to point, then use a direct quotation to explain the idea or provide more explain the idea or provide more specific details about it. specific details about it.

The quote should provide new The quote should provide new information.information.

Using Indirect QuotesUsing Indirect Quotes

When sources fail to state their ideas When sources fail to state their ideas effectivelyeffectively

Indirect quotes allow reporters to Indirect quotes allow reporters to rephrase a source’s remarks and rephrase a source’s remarks and state them more clearly and state them more clearly and conciselyconcisely

Using Partial QuotesUsing Partial Quotes

Use to more clearly attribute to a source Use to more clearly attribute to a source phrases that are particularly controversial, phrases that are particularly controversial, important or interestingimportant or interesting

Example: Phil Donahue accused the Example: Phil Donahue accused the television critic of “typing with razor television critic of “typing with razor blades.” blades.”

Avoid using “orphan” quotes– this is when Avoid using “orphan” quotes– this is when quotation marks are placed around an quotation marks are placed around an isolated word or two that are used in an isolated word or two that are used in an ordinary way. Example: He complained ordinary way. Example: He complained that no one “understands” his problem. that no one “understands” his problem.

Changing/Fixing Quotes?Changing/Fixing Quotes?

Fixing or correcting grammatical errors in Fixing or correcting grammatical errors in quotes is a widely accepted practice in quotes is a widely accepted practice in journalismjournalism

But not everyone, including the Associated But not everyone, including the Associated Press, approves. Press, approves.

““Never alter quotations even to correct Never alter quotations even to correct minor grammatical errors or word usage,” minor grammatical errors or word usage,” the AP Stylebook states. “Casual minor the AP Stylebook states. “Casual minor tongue slips may be removed by using tongue slips may be removed by using ellipses but even that should be done with ellipses but even that should be done with extreme caution.” extreme caution.”

The Importance of AttributionThe Importance of Attribution

Attribution lets the reader/viewer Attribution lets the reader/viewer know who the reporter’s sources areknow who the reporter’s sources are

This information lets readers/viewers This information lets readers/viewers draw their own conclusions about the draw their own conclusions about the credibility of the storycredibility of the story

Statements Requiring AttributionStatements Requiring Attribution

Statements about controversial Statements about controversial issuesissues

Statements of opinionStatements of opinion All direct and indirect quotationsAll direct and indirect quotations Undisputed fact don’t need Undisputed fact don’t need

attribution. Example: World War II attribution. Example: World War II ended in 1945.ended in 1945.

Levels of AttributionLevels of Attribution

On the record- everything the source says On the record- everything the source says may be published and quoted directly, and may be published and quoted directly, and the source may be fully identified by name the source may be fully identified by name and titleand title

On background- aka “not for attribution” On background- aka “not for attribution” meaning the reporter may quote the meaning the reporter may quote the source directly but may not attribute the source directly but may not attribute the statements to the source by name. statements to the source by name. Example: “According to Pentagon Example: “According to Pentagon sources…” sources…”

More Levels of AttributionMore Levels of Attribution

On deep background- this source may not On deep background- this source may not be quoted directly and may not be be quoted directly and may not be identified in any way. Example: “It has identified in any way. Example: “It has been learned that…” been learned that…”

Off the record– usually means a source’s Off the record– usually means a source’s information cannot be used, but is information cannot be used, but is sometimes misunderstood. Be clear with sometimes misunderstood. Be clear with your source in asking and understanding your source in asking and understanding what you can and cannot use, as far as what you can and cannot use, as far as names, information, etc.names, information, etc.

Anonymous SourcesAnonymous Sources

Preferably, all sources will go on the Preferably, all sources will go on the record so the reader/viewer knows where record so the reader/viewer knows where the information is coming fromthe information is coming from

But sometimes a story cannot come out or But sometimes a story cannot come out or be told any other way…whisteblowers, be told any other way…whisteblowers, inside sources, etc. inside sources, etc.

See Guidelines for Using Anonymous See Guidelines for Using Anonymous Sources on page 252Sources on page 252

Quotations PunctuationQuotations Punctuation

Incorrect: “I shall return”, Gen. Incorrect: “I shall return”, Gen. MacArthur said.MacArthur said.

Incorrect: “I shall,” Gen. MacArthur Incorrect: “I shall,” Gen. MacArthur said, “return.”said, “return.”

Incorrect: “I shall return,” said Gen. Incorrect: “I shall return,” said Gen. MacArthur. MacArthur.

Correct: “I shall return,” Gen. Correct: “I shall return,” Gen. MacArthur said. MacArthur said.

Chapter 9 Homework Chapter 9 Homework due Next Classdue Next Class

Section IV: Improving Attribution, p. 261, Section IV: Improving Attribution, p. 261, Sentences 1-10. Rewrite to correct all the Sentences 1-10. Rewrite to correct all the problems with attribution and quotations and any problems with attribution and quotations and any other errorsother errors

Homework for FridayHomework for Friday Write a full article based on the police interview Write a full article based on the police interview

story (No.1) on page 265story (No.1) on page 265 Follow instructions carefully Follow instructions carefully Type, double space, follow news copy guidelinesType, double space, follow news copy guidelines This is a dramatic story, so make sure your article This is a dramatic story, so make sure your article

reflects the drama!reflects the drama!