Quotes and Attribution

Quotes & Attributions Quiz covering the rules for using attribution to integrate quotes properly into news stories.

To prepare for the quiz, study the quotes and attribution rules in the Newsgathering and Interviewing lecture and related readings. Remember, there are three kinds of quotations employed in news stories:

The direct quote is a word-for-word account of what a person said.

Example: "Holidays are a family time, and when you don't have a supportive family—or if you don't have a family at all—it can be pretty lonely," said Janet Johnson, a psychologist.

The partial or indirect quote, which uses some of the source's words in a sentence with some of the writer's words. The only part that goes inside the quotation marks is the source's exact words.

Example: For people who don't have families, holidays "can be pretty lonely," said Janet Johnson, a psychologist.

The paraphrase is the writer's representation of what the source said. If the information in the reporter’s notebook is not clearly indicated to be a direct quotation, i.e., the words are nt enclosed in quote marks, the reporter cannot use it as a direct quote.

Example: People who don't have family with whom to celebrate the holidays are often lonely, said Janet Johnson, a psychologist.

Direct quotes and partial quotes are placed inside of quotation marks and attributed to the source; paraphrased material does not need quotation marks but is attributed to the speaker. Reporters paraphrase quotes that are obvious, confusing or full of jargon.

In addition, direct quotations are best used when the source has something unique to say or says something uniquely -- that is, when something is so eloquently said, it could not be better put by the writer (for example, the Gettysburg Address), when the speaker's exact wording is what makes the news (for example, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky"), or when the wording reveals something important about the speaker (for example, "Winning is not everything," Lombardi said. "It's the only thing.").

In general, it is better for reporters to paraphrase sources because journalists are professional communicators and the sources are not.

Finally, a person's words are not subject to a writer's interpretation. Do not change words in direct quotations, even if the grammar is bad. If the quote is crucial to the story but is not clear, a reporter may alter it in one of the following three ways:

Paraphrase the quote. The writer may remove the quotation marks and alter the inarticulate.

Original quote:  "This vase is an older than, much older, version of the one in the museum," he said.

Paraphrase: He said his vase is an older version of the one in the museum.

Use the ellipsis (three periods) to indicate that words have been left out of the directly qouted words. (Leave a space on each side of the ellipsis).

Ellipses:  "This vase is an older ... version of the one in the museum," he said.

Use brackets to add words of clarification inside the directly quoted words .

Brackets: "This vase is an older ... version of the [Ming vase] in the museum," he said.

Reporters also have to mind the rules on placement of attribution in their sentences, and placement of punctuation with those attributions. For example, in American English, the comma and period always get placed inside the quote marks.

Quotes and Attribution Quiz1

Using the rules about quotations in the Newsgathering & Interviewing and Course AP Stylebook lectures, correct the errors in these quotations.

1. "This is the hardest class I've ever taken. It's also the most rewarding. The teacher sets the bar high and I think that forces us to learn more," said Joe Smith, a senior, of Journalism 201.

2. Gretchon Davies, a senior communications studies major, is taking three online courses this semester while she works full time. "I couldn't possibly attend three classes in person every week."

3. University College said it will begin offering journalism classes online this fall.

4. Marty Jennings, a senior, feels University College should offer all of its courses online.

5. When asked if she likes the virtual classroom better than the traditional one, junior Ally Anderson said, "I like the flexibility that taking an online course gives."

6. University College students may earn a their college degrees without ever setting foot on campus, thanks to the "virtual" classroom.

7. "Sometimes I submit my homework in the middle of the night", said Susan Richards, an English major.

8. "Online education is a very, very, very, very good way to go to college if you are a parent or if you work full time," said Cheryl Taylor, a sophomore and the mother of three boys.

9. "The Internet is so versatile," exclaimed Brad Bradey, a computer sciences instructor.

10. The potential of online course work is enormous said Assistant Dean Joseph James.

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