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October 05, 2005
Chapter 7- AP Guide to News Writing
As I was writing my revision for my homecoming article, I was becoming quite bored with the use of "said." I remembered Dr. Jerz saying in class that we should only use "said" with our quotes because if we use other words it basically makes our work look too "flowery" (my own interpretation).
After reading Chapter 7, I was still a bit confused by which words I should use, but the book was able to show me the differences between many of the words that I probably would have chosen to use.
I really like how The AP Guide to News Writing gives its readers examples of what they are discussing. This is really a big help for me when I am doing my journalism writing. I like the fact that I am able to go back through the book and find answers to some of the common errors that I make.
So, after reading this chapter on "attributive verbs and loaded words," I think that I might have a clearer understanding. If any one has any suggestions of the verbs that they use in their writing, it would be very much appreciated.
Posted by AshleeLupchinsky at October 5, 2005 12:08 PM
Comments
Ashlee, I thought using 'said' was redundant, too. Prior to this course, I had been accoustomed to writing college papers, in which I attributed quotes in a variety of ways. So, initially, I looked in the Tribune Review and saw 'quipped' used, but the newspaper, as Rene Cappon points out, is not always a reliable format source. Rene Cappon does say, though, that 'went on,' 'continued,' and 'added' are as "plain and neutral as 'said'."
Posted by: NancyGregg at October 6, 2005 12:17 PM
Now that you've read these chapters, and can carefully identify the specific ways that words other than "said" can add bias to your story, it's appropriate to consider how variations can add color, as well.
It's often wrong to use "claimed" or "admitted" in the wrong context. It's almost never wrong to use "said".
If the president makes a joke, it's appropriate to identify the quotation as a joke, so "quipped" or even possibly "joked" would be appropriate.
But it's a mistake to hunt actively for synonyms to "said" simply out of a fear that repeating "said" will be boring.
You could say,
"Restructuring is the future of small business," according to Bill Smith, SuperBiz CEO.
Speaking from the ledge outside his 30th-floor office, Bill Smith told reporters that profits are down "more seriosly than I'd like to admit."
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at October 6, 2005 02:08 PM