Mastering Quotes: Tips and Types for Effective Writing

1. A work in progress The LAF news site

3. what are those awful scrawls on my paper?????????

4. class stories

5. “You can quote me on that”

6. “I do it through God’s grace and a lot of chocolate.” • “I run on God’s grace and a lot of chocolate!” • “With God’s grace and a lot of chocolate.”

7. When to use quotes

8. When to use quotes • When somebody says something important

9. When to use quotes • When somebody says something important • When somebody important says something

10. When to use quotes • When somebody says something important • When somebody important says something • You tell yourself: ‘Hey, I’ve never heard that before.’ Look for the kernel

11. Types of quotes • Direct quote

12. Types of quotes • Direct quote: Word-for-word what they said. Always starts with a quote mark and ends with quote mark

13. Types of quotes • Direct quote: Word-for-word what they said. Always starts with a quote mark and ends with quote mark • Usually ends with attribution: “It’s like running 90 miles an hours with your hair on fire,” said Bowers.

14. Types of quotes • Partial quote

15. Types of quotes • Partial quote: Use when the full quote is too long, too rambling or awkward. Avoid “overuse” of partial quotes.

16. Types of quotes • Partial quote: Use when the full quote is too long, too rambling or awkward. Avoid “overuse” of partial quotes. • Running co-op, Bowers said, requires “God’s grace and a lot of chocolate” as well as 40 hours per week.

17. Types of quotes • Paraphrase/indirect quote

18. Types of quotes • Paraphrase/indirect quote: When the reporter summarizes what the source said without using exact words or quote marks.

19. Types of quotes • Paraphrase/indirect quote: When the reporter summarizes what the source said without using exact words or quote marks. • Co-op Director Christi Bowers said she couldn’t get her job done without support from God.

20. Types of quotes • Dialogue

21. Types of quotes • Dialogue: Captures the conversation between two or more speakers

22. Types of quotes • Dialogue: Captures the conversation between two or more speakers • “I do it through God’s grace and a lot of chocolate,” Bowers said. “Not to mention the 40 hours she volunteers,” LAF Board Chair Tom Pellegrino added.

25. Tips for quotesters • Don’t quote the obvious or dull. “Journalism class meets on Tuesday,” Mr. G said

26. Tips for quotesters • Don’t quote the obvious or dull. “Journalism class meets on Tuesday,” Mr. G said • Don’t repeat what you just quoted Mr. G said the class is scheduled for Tuesday. “Journalism class meets on Tuesday,” he said.

27. Quote tips • “Don’t use quotes for your lead,” Mr. G said.

28. Quote tips • “Don’t use quotes for your lead,” Mr. G said. • Don’t get too carried away

29. Quote tips • “Don’t use quotes for your lead,” Mr. G said. • Don’t get too carried away • Don’t try to capture dialects: “Ah baleve y’all flunk by usin’ too many of them quotes,” Mr. G twanged.

30. Quote tips • “Don’t use quotes for your lead,” Mr. G said. • Don’t get too carried away • Don’t try to capture dialects: “Ah baleve y’all flunk by usin’ too many of them quotes,” Mr. G twanged. • Skip the bad words

31. Punctuation • “Be careful and use correct punctuation with quotes,” Mr. G said.

32. Punctuation • “Be careful and use correct punctuation with quotes,” Mr. G said. • Use ellipsis to indicate deleted words: “Be careful...with quotes,” Mr. G said.

33. Punctuation • “Be careful and use correct punctuation with quotes,” Mr. G said. • Use ellipsis to indicate deleted words: “Be careful...with quotes,” Mr. G said. • Capitalize first word of direct quotes. Mr. G said, “Be careful with quotes.”

34. Punctuation • “Be careful and use correct punctuation with quotes,” Mr. G said. • Use ellipsis to indicate deleted words: “Be careful...with quotes,” Mr. G said. • Capitalize first word of direct quotes. Mr. G said, “Be careful with quotes.” • But not with partial quotes Mr. G told the class to “be careful” with quotes.

35. Attbributions

36. If you’re a reporter, somebody’s gotta say it • Unless it’s a well known fact – the earth is round – you usually need an attribution

37. If you’re a reporter, somebody’s gotta say it • Unless it’s a well known fact – the earth is round – you usually need an attribution • You have to indicate the source of most fact, all opinions and quotes

38. If you’re a reporter, somebody’s gotta say it • Unless it’s a well known fact – the earth is round – you usually need an attribution • You have to indicate the source of most fact, all opinions and quotes • Must keep your own opinions out of story: i.e., you can’t say Mrs. B is a dynamo. Tom Pellegrino can say that and you can quote him

39. Tips for attribution • Use full name the first time you identify a source. After that, last name only

40. Tips for attribution • Use full name the first time you identify a source. After that, last name only • When using a quote with a single sentence, put the attribution after quote: “I use attributions well,” Ian said.

41. Tips for attribution • Use full name the first time you identify a source. After that, last name only • When using a quote with a single sentence, put the attribution after quote: “I use attributions well,” Ian said. • In multi-sentence quotes, stick the attribution after first sentence: “It works for me,” Ashlyn said. “I like it.”

42. Said, says or intoned? • Most news stories are written in past tense... especially in print/written. Serious news stories nearly always are past tense

43. Said, says or intoned? • Most news stories are written in past tense... especially in print/written. Serious news stories nearly always are past tense • Don’t mix tenses!

44. Said, says or intoned? • Most news stories are written in past tense... especially in print/written. Serious news stories nearly always are past tense • Don’t mix tenses! • Stick to plain verbs for attribution: most of the time ‘said’ is what you want. Occasionally use ‘stated,’ ‘explained.’ Never use ‘laughed,’ ‘proclaimed,’ etc.

46. Assignment 10/4 • Read and study p. 111-115 of TTS • Read and study p. 34-39 of IR

47. Rod Thomson

48. Rod Thomson • Will be in LAF Newsmaker Seat next week

49. Rod Thomson • Will be in LAF Newsmaker Seat next week • Research Mr. T and find out as much as you can about him and his background

50. Rod Thomson • Will be in LAF Newsmaker Seat next week • Research Mr. T and find out as much as you can about him and his background • Come in with a list of 10 questions to ask him. You will turn these in after he leaves. • You will write up all the background you find on Mr. T and turn that in