As we’ve talked about in our other pieces of content, it’s important to be a journalist who maintains integrity and credibility. Properly understanding how to attribute sources and information for your stories is one of the responsibilities you need to have success as a writer.
Breakdown of the significance
- By attributing information to a credible source, you bolster the reliability of your reporting. Readers understand where the information comes from and can assess its legitimacy.
- Attribution fosters transparency by revealing the voices and perspectives shaping your story.
- Attributing ensures you’re giving credit where it’s due. It safeguards against plagiarism, the unethical act of presenting someone else’s work as your own.
Effective Attribution Practices
- When attributing a source, ALWAYS identify them using their full name, title (if relevant), and affiliation or organization.
- While “said” is a common verb used for attribution, explore synonyms like “stated,” “noted,” or “explained” to add variety to your writing as you’ll be attributing an infinite amount as a journalist.
- Integrate attribution seamlessly within your sentences. You can introduce the source at the beginning, middle, or end of the sentence depending on the flow of your writing.
Examples of Effective Attribution
- “According to a recent study by the Center for Economic Research…”
- “Local historian Dr. Amelia Jones explained that…”
- “As White House officials stated…”
Remember that in certain situations, protecting a source’s identity might be necessary. Saying things like “a high-ranking government official” or “an anonymous source in the white house” can be used while upholding ethical reporting standards. However, you will have to verify these sources with your editor or some sort of higher-up in most situations like this.