Comments on: How to use quotations in your writing – 10 expert tips http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips Writing, marketing and technology Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:56:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Matthew Stibbe http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips/comment-page-1#comment-640725 Matthew Stibbe Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:47:55 +0000 http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips#comment-640725 @Neil. Yes, I'd go along with that. Good suggestion, thanks. @Neil. Yes, I’d go along with that. Good suggestion, thanks.

]]> By: Neil Baker http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips/comment-page-1#comment-640723 Neil Baker Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:02 +0000 http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips#comment-640723 I'll add one: never quote someone who is stating facts: save your quotes for opinion, colour etc. I’ll add one: never quote someone who is stating facts: save your quotes for opinion, colour etc.

]]> By: Internet Cafe Solution » Blog Archive » How to use quotations in your writing – 10 expert tips — Bad Language http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips/comment-page-1#comment-640565 Internet Cafe Solution » Blog Archive » How to use quotations in your writing – 10 expert tips — Bad Language Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:06:09 +0000 http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips#comment-640565 [...] is the original post:  How to use quotations in your writing – 10 expert tips — Bad Language This entry was posted on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 2:15 am and is filed under Writing. You [...] [...] is the original post:  How to use quotations in your writing – 10 expert tips — Bad Language This entry was posted on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 2:15 am and is filed under Writing. You [...]

]]> By: Matthew Stibbe http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips/comment-page-1#comment-640532 Matthew Stibbe Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:49:24 +0000 http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips#comment-640532 Clare - I couldn't agree more about synonyms for 'said'. You're right. I mention it in point six but it really needs underlining and highlighting with a bright yellow pen for some writers. Occasionally, 'added,' 'explained' etc. are okay in the right context - usually when you have had to edit some of the quote and you need to explain what kind of a quote it is or when you are re-introducing an interviewee later in the text. But otherwise 'said' is perfectly okay. It's more like punctuation than a word when used like this. Clare – I couldn’t agree more about synonyms for ‘said’. You’re right. I mention it in point six but it really needs underlining and highlighting with a bright yellow pen for some writers. Occasionally, ‘added,’ ‘explained’ etc. are okay in the right context – usually when you have had to edit some of the quote and you need to explain what kind of a quote it is or when you are re-introducing an interviewee later in the text. But otherwise ‘said’ is perfectly okay. It’s more like punctuation than a word when used like this.

]]> By: Clare Lynch http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips/comment-page-1#comment-640528 Clare Lynch Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:43:58 +0000 http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips#comment-640528 Can I add another tip? Always use "said", not "commented" or "observed" or "noted" etc. So many writers, particularly in corporate comms, seem to think words like these are synonyms for "said" and use them because they've been told repetition is bad. Of course, to the sensitive reader they all have connotations that can make the quote sound ridiculous. Can I add another tip?

Always use “said”, not “commented” or “observed” or “noted” etc. So many writers, particularly in corporate comms, seem to think words like these are synonyms for “said” and use them because they’ve been told repetition is bad. Of course, to the sensitive reader they all have connotations that can make the quote sound ridiculous.

]]> By: Matthew Stibbe http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips/comment-page-1#comment-640522 Matthew Stibbe Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:11:10 +0000 http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips#comment-640522 You're kidding me. That's the worst Frankenquote I've ever seen (and I've seen a few). Wow! You’re kidding me. That’s the worst Frankenquote I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen a few). Wow!

]]> By: Honza http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips/comment-page-1#comment-640521 Honza Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:56:42 +0000 http://www.badlanguage.net/how-to-use-quotations-in-your-writing-10-expert-tips#comment-640521 Frankenquoting is a major pain when it comes to writing press releases. In defense of the flacks, sometimes we come up with a quote that corresponds to rules of proper writing and the client turns it into something like this: "We will proactively leverage our dominant position on the market to pick the low hanging fruit and offer relevant solutions to our clients." By the way, this is a real quote. Frankenquoting is a major pain when it comes to writing press releases. In defense of the flacks, sometimes we come up with a quote that corresponds to rules of proper writing and the client turns it into something like this:

“We will proactively leverage our dominant position on the market to pick the low hanging fruit and offer relevant solutions to our clients.” By the way, this is a real quote.

]]>