06.1 Quotations

8/3/2019 06.1 Quotations

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/061-quotations 1/17

By Dianne Smith



You can QUOTE me on that A quote is the exact wording of a statementfrom a source. That statement may be a factor it may be opinion.

Quotes make a story more lively and morebelievable. Readers are more likely tobelieve what your story says if there arereliable sources speaking in their own wordsin the story.

There are several types of quotes.



Direct QuotesQuotes printed word for word exactly asthe speaker said them are direct quotes.

These words appear inside quotationmarks. The attribution word appearsoutside the quotation marks. Theattribution is the phrase that tells who saidit, where you got the information.

Direct quotes are used when a source

expresses an opinion.



Examples of Direct Quotes

“I am thrilled to be representing the great State of Texasat the Free Spirit Conference here in Washington,D.C.,” Susie Spunk, newspaper adviser said. “I owe itall to my talented students.”

“I’m just glad I didn’t have to spend any more time

with my adviser than I did,” said Janie Joker, whoadded that she enjoyed riding the subways more thanshe did the conference.



Indirect QuotesInformation from a source which is not made up of thespeaker’s exact words is not placed inside quotationmarks. This is an indirect quote, which is a paraphrase or

a summary of the meaning of the direct quotation.Indirect quotes are used to:

•Express a fact stated by the source

•Clarify a quote that is too long, confusing or dull•Condense the ideas of several direct quotes



Never change the meaning of someone’s quote when youparaphrase it. Misquoting yoursource will erode the credibility

of you as a reporter and of theentire newspaper staff.



Partial Quotes

Sometimes it might work better to use a portion of aquote to convey the source’s thoughts than to use anentire quote. When reporters do this, they put the portion

of the quote they do use inside quotation marks.

Use partial quotes when you need to use a speaker’sexact words but the entire direct quote might be too longor too confusing for the reader. A partial quote is goodfor highlighting lively or memorable words, especiallythose which express an opinion.



Examples of Partial QuotesGeorge Davis, sophomore, said thatspiked hair is now a “part of ourcultural heritage and not a symbolof rebellion”, adding that he thinksthe dress code should be revised toreflect newer styles.



AttributionIn general, the attribution word is SAID .

Not SAYS, STATES, STATED. SAID.

However, there may be times when another word can beused:

•Use asked when the source asked a question.

•Use added only if a source adds to information alreadygiven.

•Use stated only when a source read from a prepared text.

•Use according to only when quoting a printed source.



How to Attribute•In general, place the attribution word after thesource and any identification, such as grade:

“I live in a small town,” Jo Smith, teacher, said .•If you want to tell a little about the sourcebesides his/her name and title or grade, place the

attribution word before the source:“My mom makes the best pies,” said Ginger Peel, whose mother owns the Starlight Bakery onDunbar Ave.



Attribution, continued

• If the information in the quote is more important thanthe source, use the attribution after the quote. (You willdo this 99% of the time):

“I’m really tired of all the emphasis placed on the TAAStest,” Lisa Smith, junior, said.

• If the source is well-known, you might want to placethe attribution before the quote on the first reference:

Country singer Garth Brooks said, “This time I’m reallygoing to retire. Honest. I really am.”



Attribution, continued•For direct quotes of multiple sentences, attribute afterthe first sentence:

“Journalism is my favorite subject,” Sam Thomas, junior, said. “In fact, I want to be a newspaper reporter after I graduate.”

•If the quote is a long sentence, or if it is the last quote in

the story, place the attribution at the first natural break inthe thought:

“I thought I could do it,” Linda Rogers said, “but I never thought I’d do it that well.”



Punctuating Quotations•The speaker’s exact words go inside the quotation marks.

•The end punctuation (period, question mark, exclamationpoint) goes inside the last quotation mark.

•When the attribution comes after a direct quote, use acomma to separate the quote from the attribution.

•When the attribution comes before the quote, place acomma after the attribution word.

•If a question mark relates to the sentence and not thequote, place it at the end of the sentence outside thequotation marks.



Punctuating, continued

•Use single quotation marks to indicate a quote inside aquote.

•Begin a new paragraph with each quote and with eachtransition.

•Leave off the closing quotation marks at the end of aparagraph if the quote continues in the next paragraph.

•If a quote is a complete sentence, begin it with a capitalletter. If it’s not, don’t.



Using Quotes, continued

•Your primary source should be quoted more often thanother sources.

•It is permissible to make minor corrections in grammar toprevent a speaker from sounding uneducated.

•To clarify a confusing or strange word or phrase within aquote, insert a translation between brackets. []

•Add the word “sic” [meaning thus] in italics withinbrackets after words that are misspelled or used incorrectlyin a direct quote from a printed source. This indicates thequote is exactly like the original source.



Using Quotes, continued

•Check potentially offensive or misleading quotes withyour editor or adviser or the source before you includethem.

•If possible, use a tape recorder so you will have a recordof the interview.

•Never use the words “when asked” or “in response to a

question about” to lead into a quote. The story is notabout you, so do not insert yourself into it.

06.1 Quotations

Documents

Transcript of 06.1 Quotations