tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266566846399659219.post2929201392814428490..comments2024-01-16T00:30:02.493-05:00Comments on That's the Press, Baby: Orphan Quotes and Orphan DaysDavisullhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02871644412923946894noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266566846399659219.post-3818802418592784042009-02-15T22:47:00.000-05:002009-02-15T22:47:00.000-05:00What I've noticed about some orphan quotes is how ...What I've noticed about some orphan quotes is how the highlighted word comes out of a sentence that won't fit into the story structure or was incompletely recorded in the reporter's notes. <BR/><BR/>The unwillingness to use an indirect quote is because the writer wants to make it clear that the person actually said a particular word. So, are readers today more likely to attribute a sarcastic meaning to the word in quotes, particularly if it is unexpected or pejorative, even though the reporter only wants to make it clear that that striking word came from the source, not from the reporter?<BR/><BR/>I notice in my own writing I tend to use orphan quotes more often when I am writing after a night meeting and have to get the story in at a time when I can't call the source and ask for a repeat of the sentence or other clarification. If this is where some orphan quotes are coming from, expect more as Internet deadlines reduce the amount of fact-checking and editing time before the story becomes available to the public.<BR/><BR/>-- Barbara Phillips LongAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com