Using Quotes in Newswriting
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This document provides tips for using quotes in newswriting. It discusses how to properly attribute quotes, punctuate quotes, avoid unnecessary punctuation in quotes, use paragraph breaks for quotes, determine when to use quotes, avoid repeating information with quotes, only use "said" for attribution, handle quotes within quotes, and follow other rules for integrating quotes smoothly into news articles. The document encourages getting multiple relevant quotes but using them sparingly and recommends resources for further information on best practices for quotes in journalism.
![A few last rules
• Do not use a quotation as a lead sentence in a
story. It’s confusing because it lacks context.
• Use ellipses only when the middle part of the
quote has been deleted.
• Use brackets if info needs to be inserted to clarify
a quote.
– “I think [Mariano] Rivera is the greatest closer ever,”
Yankees pitcher Andy Pettite said.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/quotes-130930170400-phpapp02/85/Using-Quotes-in-Newswriting-13-320.jpg)
![Some tips
• Get many quotes, but use sparingly. Sprinkle
quotes throughout your story. Don’t use
quotes to carry a narrative
• Don’t preface quotes with “when asked” –
instead rephrase to avoid doing that.
• Don’t say someone “commented on
[whatever] and then write the quote – it’s
redundant.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/quotes-130930170400-phpapp02/85/Using-Quotes-in-Newswriting-15-320.jpg)
Using Quotes in Newswriting
- 1. Tips for Quotes in Newswriting By Prof. Mark Grabowski markgrabowski.com
- 2. What is a quote? • A quote is the exact wording of a statement from a source
- 3. Attribution • Be sure to attribute – full name and title/description – e.g. said John Smith, a junior at Adelphi University
- 4. Punctuation • Punctuate this way (generally, but there are some exceptions): – “First sentence of quote,” said _______ (insert name of source). “Second sentence of quote, if there is one. Third sentence. Etc.” – (Note the use of the comma at the end of the first sentence instead of a period.) – (Also: Sometimes the source should appear before the quotation, however. For more details, see my video lesson at http://vimeo.com/8408257)
- 5. Punctuation • Do NOT punctuate this way: – “I love Adelphi.” Said Mark Grabowski. • Or this way: – “I love Adelphi. The students, campus and staff are all great. It’s my favorite school,” said Mark Grabowski.
- 6. Journalism =/= Academic Writing • Never use footnotes or parenthetical notes – this is journalism, not academic writing. So, avoid: – “President Scott is a great leader.” 1 – “I am interested in offering online courses.” (Gayle Insler, 2013)
- 7. Use paragraph breaks • Generally, quotes should be offset into a separate paragraph. – Coach Rick Smith was disappointed by the loss. – “This is a game we should have won,” he said. “But the players came out flat.”
- 8. When to use quotes • Use quotes to express emotion, feeling, opinion or to elaborate on things. Don’t use quotes to state basic facts. – Avoid: “I was born in Philadelphia,” said Grabowski. – Instead, paraphrase: Grabowski was born in Philadelphia.
- 9. When NOT to use quotes • Don’t use quotes to state the obvious, such as: – “I’m so happy we won the championship,” Coach Johnson said. (Oh really? I thought you’d be disappointed!)
- 10. When NOT to use quotes • Don’t use quotes to repeat information: – No: Wise said Prentice has refused to meet with him and Bullard. “He has refused to meet with us,” he said. – Yes: Wise said he was frustrated by Prentice’s response. “He has refused to meet with us,” he said.
- 11. Use only “said” • Generally, you should only use the attribution verb “said”. Never use verbs that indicate a movement other than speaking, such as “shrugged” or “smiled.” You can’t shrug or smile a word. So, don’t write: – “I like Adelphi,” smiled Mark Grabowski.
- 12. Using double quotation marks • Never use single quotes, unless it’s a quote within a quote, such as: – “Mark Grabowski told me he ‘loves Adelphi,’” said Peter Novak, who’s a student in his journalism class. – “I really like Kanye West’s new album, ‘Yeezus,’” said Sara Robinson.
- 13. A few last rules • Do not use a quotation as a lead sentence in a story. It’s confusing because it lacks context. • Use ellipses only when the middle part of the quote has been deleted. • Use brackets if info needs to be inserted to clarify a quote. – “I think [Mariano] Rivera is the greatest closer ever,” Yankees pitcher Andy Pettite said.
- 14. Also: • It’s OK to make minor edits to quotes to correct grammar • It’s also OK to leave out fillers people often use when they speak, such as um, like, you know.
- 15. Some tips • Get many quotes, but use sparingly. Sprinkle quotes throughout your story. Don’t use quotes to carry a narrative • Don’t preface quotes with “when asked” – instead rephrase to avoid doing that. • Don’t say someone “commented on [whatever] and then write the quote – it’s redundant.
- 16. For more info… • See Prof. Grabowski’s video lecture at: https://youtu.be/mL9PT55VW5Y?t=18s