Handling Quotes Beginning Journalism Kathy Habiger

Three types of quotes 1. Direct Quotes 2. Partial Quotes 3. Paraphrases Regardless of the type of quote, all of them need attribution or to cite the precise source of that information

Direct quotes Direct quotations: The exact words of a speaker. Direct quotes are set off in type with quotation marks. They always get their own paragraph.

Why use quotes? Direct quotes add color and credibility to your story. You are putting readers directly in touch with the speaker (someone they probably would not normally speak to). Direct quotes are personal.

Direct quotes Source’s name should be included with all direct quotes. It’s called floating quote without the name. Using “said” is the best verb to use.

Direct quotes EXAMPLE: “Because reporters fail to verify their information, they often fail to quote a source accurately,” reporter Joe News said.

Partial Quotes Partial quotation: a quotation using just a few words from a speaker’s statement. Partial quotes are also set in quotation marks. Don’t go overboard with partial quotes. Include only really interesting parts of the quote.

Partial Quotes EXAMPLE: YES: Senator Jim McFly claims the charges against him are “absolutely, positively false and completely outrageous.” NO: Junior Scott White said the party was “neat.”

Paraphrase Paraphrase: to put the speaker’s words into the reporter’s own words without changing the meaning or inserting opinion. Used to clarify lengthy, fuzzy or complicated thoughts. Do not use quotation marks for paraphrases. Do include a source’s name with info.

Paraphrase EXAMPLE: According to reporter Joe News, reporters often fail to quote correctly because they do not verify their facts.

When not to use quotes Avoid quoting basic knowledge or facts of any kind. WRONG: “We took 10 people to the convention last week,” Stevens said. RIGHT: Quotes his reaction to the convention: “I learned so much from the convention. It was the best week of my life,” Stevens said.

Editing quotes It is possible for reporters to change direct quotes for the following reasons: 1. Deleting unnecessary words. EXAMPLE: “Look, you know, I think recycling is absolutely necessary,” she said. “I think recycling is necessary,” she said.

Editing quotes 2. Correcting grammar. This is an editorial decision. Consider what your purpose for correcting or not correcting is. EXAMPLE: “I ain’t never been there before,” she said. “The group will give their awards out today,” he said.

Editing quotes 3. Eliminating profanity. Again, this is an editorial decision. Consider your purpose. At school, we tend to edit profanities completely. No s---, please.

Editing quotes If you delete sizable portions of a quote, it is appropriate to use ellipses to inform readers of the deletion. (ellipses are only three dots.) EXAMPLE: “I think recycling is necessary because it will lead to a cleaner environment and it will help us have a cleaner campus,” he said. “I think recycling is necessary, because…it will help us have a cleaner campus,” he said.