Attribution

Says Who? The Attribution of Sources

• Attribution is the crediting of one’s sources of information.

• There are no footnotes or in-text citations, nor are there bibliographies or works cited pages.

• Instead, the source is identified within the article, the expertise or authority of the person is indicated, and the quotations are provided.

Why Attribution is Important

• Helps the readers evaluate the information or opinion.• Allows a writer to include opinions in a factual story without

being accused of editorializing.• Helps protect the writer if the information is found to be

inaccurate or the opinion proves to be damaging. Writers and news editors work diligently to be accurate and fair, but an attribution shares the responsibility with the source.

Saying Who is Who• When you first attribute information to a particular person, give both the

first and last name and whatever additional information may be needed for the reader to evaluate the person as a source of information:

• “Charitable giving is up 20 percent this fall,” says Peter Homenecki [name], chairperson [position] for the local United Way campaign [organization]

• Subsequent references may include only the person’s last name:• “Better training for our door-to-door canvassers has been a major factor in

increased donations,” Homenecki [last name only] added.

Where to place the Attribution• Can be placed before, after, or in the middle of quoted information. • It is most common to the name the people and give details about who

they are at the end or in the middle of the quoted material.• When the quoted statement is long, put it in the middle.• “Charitable giving is up 20 percent this fall,” says the campaign

chairperson, “and that is remarkable because unemployment is high, inflation is up, and our local economy has not improved.”

• When the quoted statement is fairly short, the end position is useful.• “Better training for our door-to-door canvassers has been a major factor in

the increased donations,” he added.

The Attributive Verb• “Said” is the most frequently used by writers.• You can also use:

– Stated– Declared– Noted– Pointed out– Claimed– Insisted– Suggested

• However, varying the attributive verb might change the meaning.

Direct and Indirect Quotations• When attributing a statement, a writer must decide whether

to use a direct or indirect quotation.• A direct quotation uses the exact words of a speaker or

writer. A good direct quotation enriches a story. • An indirect quotation paraphrases the words of a speaker or

writer. Most people do not say things that are easily quoted. An indirect quotation is recommended if a person’s statement is not well spoken or is too long.

Partial and Clean-up Quotations• Partial quotations are used when the writer wants to retain the flavor of

the original statement, yet still make a point effectively.• Williams-Stark himself remembers being a child and having “the worst

bilateral cleft lip and palate case in B.C.”• When taking words from their original context, a writer must be careful

not to change or distort the speaker’s meaning.• Cleaned-up quotations are the subject of keen debate. Does one leave in

such filled words as “um,” “ah,” “well,” and “I mean”?• While the clean-up version may be clearer, may publications may not

print them because it has lost accuracy.