Use of quotes

JOUR 102

Deb Wenger, University of Mississippi

Why quotes?
Adds credibility to the story Makes it more interesting

Direct quotes
A complete sentence or two long the speakers exact words Use when the you cannot say it better yourself Use when the information is highly controversial or important Sometimes called: full quotes
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Partial quotes
You use a word or a phase from a direct quote Use when only a portion of what the person had to say was compelling In a lead sentence indirect/partial quote is typically best Be careful!
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Paraphrasing
What does it mean? What about attribution?

Why is it sometimes the best approach?

Be careful!

Attributing quotes
The attribution indicating who is being quoted generally comes at the end of a direct quote.

Put the attribution at the start if it would otherwise be confusing as to who is speaking.

Attributing quotes

Using quotes
Avoid using a quote in a lead instead paraphrase Often set up quotes with a paragraph that indicates who is about to talk and what he/she is about to say Present direct quotes in their own paragraphs
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Quote set up
Detective Jason Smith said the suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.

These two guys make Bonnie and Clyde look like a traveling circus, Smith said. Police say the pair is driving a stolen, dark blue Ford Explorer with California plates.
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Using quotes
Avoid using back-to-back quotes without indicating speaker change One person per quote NEVER make them up Edit quotes cautiously You are responsible for the quotes you use
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AP style: punctuation
Punctuating quotes
Based in part on materials from Jeff South and June Nicholson VCU School of Mass Communications

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Periods with quotes

Periods always go inside quotation marks: He said, It was Gods will. After five minutes, she said, with a flick of her wrist, it turned to mush. Will she run again? No never.
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Now you try!

Gov. Phil Bryant said, Mississippi is at the crossroads.
No: Gov. Phil Bryant said, Mississippi is at the crossroads. Ole Miss Chancellor Dan Jones praised her for her honesty and intellect.

Correct.
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Commas
Commas, like periods, go inside quotation marks:

Thats right, she said.

It aint over, he said, until the fat lady sings.

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Copy-edit
The lawyer said If it doesnt fit, you must acquit.
No: The lawyer said, If it doesnt fit, you must acquit. The lawyer said the jury should acquit his client.

Correct.
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Attributing quotes
Why are the words said or says the best words to use when attributing quotes? Neutral words they dont connote any bias or point of view

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