Writing: Quotes & Attribution

1. Writing: Quotes & Attribution 2008 ASNE Reynolds High School Journalism Institute - Arizona State University Steve Elliott: steve.elliott@asu.edu Director, Cronkite News Service and Professor of Practice

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.”

8. 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.”

9. 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.

10. 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.”

11. 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.

12. 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.