Q Q 1.1 quotes When quoting and paraphrasing, be precise and accurate. Look for quotes to illustrate your story and to advance it with the reader. Choose interesting quotes, and don’t feel compelled to use every word the person said. Don’t change the person’s meaning by leaving out words or paraphrasing. Don’t use a quote that repeats information already stated. Take care with ellipsis, particularly if you want to shorten direct quotes. Make sure the meaning remains the same. When attributing quotes, simply use the word said, and in printed material, give the attribution at the end of the sentence. In material that will be broadcast or read (such as a speech), attribution should come before the quote. Place the verb said after the name of the speaker, rather than before it, unless this would result in an unwieldy construction.
• Print: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” President John F. Kennedy said. • Spoken/broadcast: President John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.
34 UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY STYLE GUIDE