Modifying Quotations
“Paint chips taste better than scabs.”
- Reed Thorndyke
Journalism text
Chapter 8.2
Pages 213-217
Journalistic Issues With Quotations
• Journalists are of two camps
• Some say never change a quotation
• Others believe there are exceptions
The “Do Not Ever Change Quotations” Camp
The Associated Press (AP) Manual on Style and
Libel says:
“Never alter quotations even to correct
minor grammatical errors or word usage. Casual
minor tongue slips may be removed by using
ellipses, but even that must be done with
extreme caution.”
Rules for Proper Use of Ellipses
An ellipsis is a series of three points
with spaces between them (. . .)
inserted into a quotation to indicate the
omission of material from the original
quotation.
When placing an ellipsis in the middle of a quotation to
indicate the omission of material, use three points with
spaces before and after the ellipsis.
Incorrect:
The First Amendment provides that "Congress shall
make no law respecting. . .the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances." U.S. Const.
amend. I.
Correct:
The First Amendment provides that "Congress shall
make no law respecting . . . the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances." U.S. Const.
amend. I.
When placing an ellipsis at the end of a quotation to
indicate the omission of material, use four points -- a
three-point ellipsis and a period. The ellipsis should
follow a blank space.
Incorrect:
The First Amendment provides that "Congress
shall make no law. . . abridging the freedom of
speech. . ." U.S. Const. amend. I.
Correct:
The First Amendment provides that "Congress
shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of
speech . . . ." U.S. Const. amend. I.
Do not place an ellipsis at the beginning of a
quotation to indicate the omission of material.
Incorrect:
The First Amendment also prohibits laws ". . .
respecting an establishment of religion. . . ."
U.S. Const. amend. I.
Correct:
The First Amendment also prohibits laws
"respecting an establishment of religion . . . ."
U.S. Const. amend. I.
When combining a fully quoted sentence with a partially quoted sentence, or with a second, but
nonconsecutive quoted sentence, place a period at the end of the fully quoted sentence,
followed by a space, an ellipsis, another space, and the remainder of the quoted material. Do
not place a space before a period at the end of a fully quoted sentence.
Incorrect:
In a unanimous decision, Justice Holmes wrote, "The question in every case is whether
the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a
clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress
has a right to prevent . . . .When a nation is at war many things that might be said in time
of peace are such a hindrance to its effort that their utterance will not be endured so
long as men fight and that no Court could regard them as protected by any
constitutional right." Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47, 52 (1919).
Correct:
In a unanimous decision, Justice Holmes wrote, "The question in every case is whether
the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a
clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress
has a right to prevent. . . . When a nation is at war many things that might be said in time
of peace are such a hindrance to its effort that their utterance will not be endured so
long as men fight and that no Court could regard them as protected by any
constitutional right." Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47, 52 (1919).
The Los Angeles Times Statement of Principles
states, “We do not manufacture, embroider, or
distort quotes, either in print or in the video and
audio clips posted on our website.”
The “Absolutely Never Ever Change Quotes”
Camp believes if you change a quote for any
reason, especially to correct errors in grammar
or usage, you are being condescending to the
source and giving readers a false picture of the
person speaking.
The “Change Quotations Sometimes” Camp
USA Today policy states, “Do not tamper with
quotations. The only exception to this rule: Errors
or grammar that are inadvertent, reflect a lack of
education or are common in everyday speech may
ber corrected to avoid embarrassing an individual.”
The Poynter Institute’s writing scholar, Roy Peter
Clark, says, “…A little tidying up without adding
words, without altering or heightening the
meaning, is OK.”
ALL Journalists Agree…
• Offensive language can be changed or edited.
• Words or remarks that offend, insult or
threaten a person or group of people.
• If there is a compelling reason to use the
quote, the Associated Press calls for keeping
the first letter of the offensive word and
replacing the other letters with hyphens.
The Most Important Rule
•
•
•
•
•
Accuracy is paramount.
Context is important
Fragments
Manner of delivery
Body language
Your Assignment
• Choose one quote that, if taken out of context, could
be used to distort a candidate’s position or make him
look bad. Write the quotation down on a piece of
paper using proper punctuation.
• Choose one quote that accurately records what a
candidate said in the proper context. Use proper
punctuation.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wwf7UFYQnM