Attribution rules You must make sure that writers

Attribution rules

You must make sure that writers identify interviewees with full first references • Jane Natt, a professor at Purdue University, said • Purdue professor Jane Natt said …. • After that, refer to me only by my last name: – Natt said she hoped ….

The grammar of direct and indirect quotes • Commas and periods go inside quotation marks. • Question marks go inside if when applies to quoted matter only, outside if apply to the whole sentence: – Who wrote “Gone With the Wind”? – “How long will it take? ” he asked.

Attribution • Use commas with attribution when you have direct quotes: – “I like being here, ” he said. – While grammatically correct, avoid putting attribution at start of direct quote: He said, “I like being here. ” Instead, “I like being here, ” he said.

Attribution • Use commas with attribution like “according to” – According to school officials, attendance is down. – Attendance is down, according to school officials.

Attribution • Use commas when attributions come after, not before, a paraphrase: – Jackson said the Badgers look strong. – The Badgers look strong, Jackson said. – See: Roxy’s

Attribution • With multiple-sentence quotes, put the attribution after the first sentence: – “I like our chances, ” the coach said. “We can will all our games. ” – Not: “I like our chances. We can win all our games, ” the coach said.

Attribution • The basics: – A period follows the attribution: • “I like you, ” he said. “Do you like me? ” – A comma almost always proceeds the attribution: – Don’t use an exclamation point and a comma: • Wrong: “Oh boy!, ” the child said.

Attribution • Copy editors need to pay close attention to quotes. They are a key area to look at when you need to trim: – Does the quote add to the story? Is it unique, said uniquely? Does it offer emotion or opinion? – Does it repeat something already said? – Could you paraphrase the direct quote to shorten it? – Check out Software

Attribution • Double-check attribution: – Do you have the right person attributed? – Is the attribution clear? – Is it needed?