Journalism 110

Attribution

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Attribution tells the reader where you got the information. (It works like a footnote in an academic paper.)

Where does attribution go? In the lead for controversial or accusatory information. In many other cases, it can be delayed so as not to clutter the sentence.

GENERAL RULES

No attribution is needed if:

*The information is public record or general knowledge. Example:

  • Bangkok is the largest city in Thailand.

Remember that when someone is charged with a crime it is part of the public record and thus doesn't not have to be directly attributed. However, in such stories, you will have spoken with the police and/or other authorities and will need to provide attribution somewhere in the story, preferably near the top.

*You directly observed the event.

  • After teetering on the edge of the bridge for five hours, the Northridge woman jumped to her death.

*The information has been reported in previous stories.

  • The defendant is accused of stealing six other dogs from the playground.

Do use attribution if:

*The information is accusatory, opinionated, or not substantiated.

 

  • Watching television kills brain cells, according to a study released by the Rutherford Institute yesterday.

*You did not witness the event being described. This is especially important with crime and accident stories. (However, you don't always have to attribute everything in the lead.)

 

Wording of attribution

* Use said. Says is OK for feature stories. Even though you'll want to use present tense because you hear it on broadcasts all the time, past tense is the norm in print.

* Don't use giggled, joked, smiled, etc.

  • NO: "I love training dogs," he smiled.
  • YES: "I love training dogs," he said, smiling.

*In general, "according to" works best with inanimate objects such as studies. It should be avoided with people.

* Normal speaking order (subject - verb - object) is preferred.

  • NO: "I love training dogs," said Joe Matsui.
  • YES: "I love training dogs," Joe Matsui said.

*However, you may need to reverse order with long titles or descriptions that sound awkward.

  • "I love the Burning Spears," said 9-year-old Lauren, who has attended 35 of their concerts.