Writing the News Story Part III: Attribution and Quotes
A modified inverted pyramid is when a news story takes a short step back into time to recap a
past even that is related to the topic of the present story. This is often within the paragraph
following the lead. Without disrupting the flow of the story, the second paragraph recaps what
had happened earlier.
Attribution and Quotes
Attributing the source of facts and opinion in a news story – telling the reader where the
information came from and who said what – is an essential aspect of establishing the person’s
professionalism and medium’s impartiality and credibility.
Unattributed and attributed opinion in a news story is called editorializing. Reporters and editors
who find unattributed opinion, even a single somewhat harmless adjective or adverb, should
delete it from the story. For example, it may seem harmless to use the adjective beautiful in from
of the noun decorations when writing a story about prom, but unless someone the reporter has
interviewed said that the decorations were beautiful, the adjective has to be deleted.
The preferred verb for the attribution of all direct and indirect quotes is said. Occasionally, the
present tense says can be used. Says is a good choice when the quote, direct or indirect, is
something a person repeatedly says or is a signature or trademark statement, identified with the
person.
EX.
Direct Quote:
“Violence will stop in school when students learn to respect their classmates who may be
a different color or have a different religion, ethnic background or sexual orientation,”
school psychologist Marian Anderson said.
Indirect Quote:
Violence will stop in school when students learn to respect their classmates who may be a
different color or have a different religion, ethnic background or sexual orientation,
Marian Anderson, school psychologist said.
Use of verbs other than said in quote attributions is limited and often not recommended. Stated
is very formal and should only be used if someone in authority issues a formal statement, either
in person or on paper. Another possibility, remarked, is also formal.
From: Rolnicki, Tom. Scholastic Journalism. Malden: Blackwell Publishing, 2007. 45-53. Print.
News writers should not worry that frequent use of said is too repetitive or shows lack of
creativity.
A common mistake made by some beginning writers is trying to write the question asked during
an interview into a story.
EX:
Wrong:
When asked what she thought of the new graduation requirements, Rita Mach, principal,
said they are an important step toward preparing students for a changing world.
Right:
Principal Rita Mach said the new graduation requirements are an important step toward
preparing students for a changing world.
From: Rolnicki, Tom. Scholastic Journalism. Malden: Blackwell Publishing, 2007. 45-53. Print.