5.3 Attribution and Quotation in News Writing
2 min read•august 9, 2024
and quotation are essential tools in a journalist's arsenal. They lend credibility to reporting and bring stories to life. From direct quotes to paraphrasing, journalists must master various techniques to accurately convey information from sources.
Proper attribution is crucial for transparency and protecting against accusations of plagiarism. Journalists must carefully evaluate and choose appropriate . These skills are fundamental to producing trustworthy and impactful news stories.
Quoting Sources
Types of Quotations and Their Usage
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- reproduces a source's exact words enclosed in quotation marks
- Preserves the original wording and tone of the speaker
- Used for impactful statements or when precise language is crucial
- Requires careful transcription to ensure
- conveys the meaning of a source's words without using their exact phrasing
- Allows for more concise reporting of lengthy statements
- Useful when the exact wording is less important than the overall message
- Must still accurately represent the source's intended meaning
- Paraphrasing restates a source's ideas in the journalist's own words
- Helps simplify complex concepts for readers
- Allows for integration of multiple sources' ideas
- Requires a thorough understanding of the original content to avoid misrepresentation
Formatting and Structural Considerations
- Block quotes format longer quotations as separate, indented paragraphs
- Typically used for quotes exceeding 40 words or four lines of text
- Draws attention to significant or detailed statements
- Does not require quotation marks due to distinct formatting
- Partial quotes incorporate select words or phrases from a source within the journalist's sentence
- Highlights key terminology or memorable phrases
- Maintains the flow of the article while including source language
- Requires careful integration to ensure grammatical consistency
Attribution Basics
Understanding Attribution and Its Importance
- Attribution identifies the source of information in a news story
- Provides transparency and credibility to the reporting
- Allows readers to assess the reliability of the information
- Protects journalists from accusations of plagiarism or fabrication
- Attribution verbs introduce quotes or paraphrased information
- Common verbs include "said," "stated," "explained," and "noted"
- More specific verbs like "argued," "emphasized," or "cautioned" can convey additional
- Choice of verb can subtly influence reader perception of the source's tone or intent
Evaluating and Presenting Source Credibility
- Source credibility determines the weight given to a particular piece of information
- Factors include expertise, authority, and relevance to the topic
- Journalists must assess and communicate a source's qualifications to readers
- Establishing credibility involves providing relevant details about the source
- Include titles, affiliations, or specific experiences that qualify the source to speak on the topic
- Balance the need for thorough attribution with maintaining story flow
- Anonymous sources require special consideration and justification
- Used when information is crucial but the source faces potential harm if identified
- Requires explanation of why anonymity was granted and how the source is qualified to provide information
Key Terms to Review (19)
Accuracy: Accuracy refers to the precision and correctness of information presented in journalism. It is crucial for building trust with the audience and ensuring that news reporting reflects true events and facts. Accuracy involves thorough fact-checking, responsible sourcing, and a commitment to providing clear and reliable information.
AP Stylebook: The AP Stylebook is a widely used reference guide that provides rules and guidelines for writing in journalism, particularly for news reporting. It covers everything from grammar and punctuation to style preferences for attribution and quotation, ensuring consistency and clarity in news writing. The AP Stylebook is essential for journalists to maintain a professional standard in their reporting, especially when it comes to how sources are cited and how quotes are formatted.
Attribution: Attribution in journalism refers to the practice of clearly identifying the source of information, quotes, or ideas in a news story. It is crucial for establishing credibility and transparency, allowing readers to understand where the information is coming from and to evaluate its reliability. Proper attribution also plays a key role in maintaining ethical standards and protecting against plagiarism.
Attribution verbs: Attribution verbs are words used to indicate the source of a quote or information in news writing. They help clarify who said what and lend credibility to the reported statements. Proper use of attribution verbs is essential for journalistic integrity and allows readers to understand the context and reliability of the information being presented.
Block quote: A block quote is a long quotation that is formatted as a distinct paragraph, typically set off from the main text with indentation. It is used in journalism and writing to give emphasis to the quoted material, allowing readers to easily identify the source's words without confusion. Block quotes are often reserved for longer excerpts, providing a more visually appealing way to present extensive information or testimony while maintaining clear attribution.
Context: Context refers to the circumstances or background information surrounding a particular event, statement, or idea that helps clarify its meaning. In journalism, understanding context is essential for accurately reporting facts and ensuring that quotes and attributions are understood in relation to the broader situation, which aids in providing readers with a complete and truthful narrative.
Direct quotation: A direct quotation is a verbatim repetition of someone else's spoken or written words, enclosed in quotation marks, to accurately convey the speaker's original message. It serves to provide authenticity and credibility in news writing by presenting the source's exact words, reflecting their thoughts, opinions, or emotions without interpretation or alteration. Direct quotations are essential for attributing statements to sources and maintaining journalistic integrity.
Fair use: Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the rights holder, primarily for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. This concept is crucial in journalism, as it balances the rights of creators with the public's interest in accessing and disseminating information. Fair use permits journalists to quote or reference works while also fostering creativity and discussion around existing content.
Indirect quotation: An indirect quotation paraphrases or summarizes what someone has said without using their exact words, allowing the writer to convey the essence of the statement while maintaining clarity and coherence. This approach can help in integrating the speaker’s ideas smoothly into a narrative without disrupting the flow of the text, making it essential for effective news writing.
Lead-in phrases: Lead-in phrases are introductory elements used in news writing that set the context for a quote or attribution, guiding readers to understand the significance and source of the information. These phrases enhance clarity and provide essential background by connecting a statement to its speaker, making the writing more fluid and understandable.
Libel: Libel is a form of defamation that involves making false and damaging statements about a person or organization in written or published form. It plays a crucial role in the world of journalism, as it affects how news is attributed and quoted, and it shapes the legal landscape journalists must navigate when reporting. Understanding libel is essential for any journalist, as it helps ensure the accuracy of reporting and protects individuals' reputations while maintaining freedom of the press.
Paraphrase: Paraphrasing is the act of rewording or restating someone else's ideas or statements while maintaining the original meaning. It is a vital skill in journalism, as it allows writers to present information in a fresh way, making it more accessible to readers while still attributing the original source. This technique can help prevent plagiarism and provides an opportunity to clarify complex ideas.
Partial quote: A partial quote is a specific segment of someone’s spoken or written words that is included in a news story, but it doesn’t capture the entirety of what was said. Using partial quotes allows journalists to highlight important phrases or sentiments while maintaining a concise narrative. This technique helps in attributing information accurately and adds credibility to the reporting.
Primary Source: A primary source is a direct or firsthand piece of evidence about an event, object, person, or work of art. It offers original content and insights that are critical for understanding the context and details surrounding the subject being studied. Primary sources include interviews, original documents, photographs, and artifacts, making them essential for gathering accurate information and establishing credibility in journalism.
Quote integration: Quote integration is the method of incorporating direct quotations from sources into a news story in a way that flows seamlessly with the surrounding text. This technique not only enhances the credibility of the reporting but also provides context, voice, and perspective, allowing readers to engage more fully with the material. Proper integration involves attributions, where the source of the quote is clearly identified, ensuring transparency and trust in journalistic practices.
Secondary source: A secondary source is any document or record that interprets, analyzes, or summarizes information from primary sources, which are direct or firsthand accounts. These sources help contextualize events, ideas, or data by providing commentary or critique, making them valuable in research and reporting.
Society of Professional Journalists: The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is a prominent organization dedicated to promoting and defending the rights of journalists while advancing ethical journalism practices. Established in 1909, SPJ works to ensure that the public has access to accurate and unbiased news, providing resources and support for journalists at all stages of their careers. This organization emphasizes the importance of integrity, accountability, and transparency in journalism, which connects closely with various aspects of news writing, career development, networking, and adapting to changes in the industry.
Source credibility: Source credibility refers to the trustworthiness and reliability of a source of information, which plays a crucial role in how news is reported and received. A credible source is perceived as knowledgeable, unbiased, and ethical, which enhances the overall quality of information presented to the audience. The ability to assess source credibility is vital for journalists to ensure accurate attribution and quotation, as well as for planning and conducting thorough investigations.
Source verification: Source verification is the process of confirming the authenticity and credibility of information sources before using them in reporting. This practice is essential for ensuring that the information presented is accurate and reliable, protecting the integrity of journalism and fostering trust with the audience.