preferences set forth in The AP Stylebook or The Sentinel Stylebook. WHO, WHAT, IT- People are “who”; things are “that”; organization names and team names are singular and take the singular pronoun “it.” Handling Notes and Quotes from an Interview 1. Direct Quotes-‐ You want to use SOME of what the interviewee said verbatim, but only that which is profound, meaningful or exciting. Attribute the quote before, after or in the middle of the quote. If you choose to attribute in the middle of the sentence it must be at a natural break, like between clauses or after a phrase, in a fairly long quote. 2. Partial Quotes-‐ A very good phrase but less than a complete sentence which you “set up” with paraphrasing in your own words but using quote marks to show the exact phrase the person said. Must, of course, be attributed. 3. Indirect Quotes-‐ Close to, but not necessarily, the exact words of the interviewee. Uses no quote marks but often uses relative pronoun that (but it’s not always needed). First person pronouns may need changing to third person. Attribution to speaker still needed. 4. Paraphrasing-‐ Keeping very close to the original words spoken but translated somewhat-‐ perhaps shortened-‐ into clearer, more standard and more understandable phrasing (yours). Still must be attributed. 5. Summary-‐ Condensing and refining the original into a much tighter, briefer, perhaps more abstract and generalized statement-‐ still attributed to the speaker. Concluding advice: Don’t get into a rut and use too many of the same type of presentation of what people say. And always be accurate as to his/her meaning, avoiding subjective interpretation. And always attribute.
D.
Pitfalls of Beginning Journalists
• In reporting o Too few sources o “Wrong” sources o Making it hard for source to contact you o Sloppy interviewing & notetaking o Not recognizing news values, reader interests, manipulation by sources o Procrastinating on assignments, writing o Not getting enough info, background, quotes o Not getting source’s phone number for checkback o Not appreciating “contacts” 8 THE SENTINEL STYLE BOOK