How to Add Spoken Words to a Paragraph
Making a paragraph stand out and be remembered is difficult if the writing is flat and factual. For a reporter covering an event, adding spoken words to a paragraph is essential to add credibility and immediacy. Spoken words must be correctly recorded and put in context so as to convey the intended meaning. Careful note-taking and proper selection of the quotes is important. You can add spoken words that have a lasting impact in your paragraphs.
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Instructions
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Write the paragraph in no more than six to eight sentences with the first or last sentence summing up the main thought. That sentence is known as the topic sentence.
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Include the responses to the leading questions the reader will have: who, what, when, where, why and how. The paragraph should paint a picture and be complete in thought.
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Take written notes or listen to a televised or recorded version of the speech. Jot down or highlight the one or two phrases that were crowd-pleasers or defined the orator's message.
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Select the best representation of the spoken words for inclusion in your writing, being careful not to substitute or edit as you transcribe. In journalistic terms, this is known as "piping the quote" and is unacceptable.
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Give proper attribution to the speaker, and make sure you use quotation marks to set the spoken words apart in the paragraph.
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Tips & Warnings
Reread your paragraph to make sure the spoken words enhance the writing.
Make sure the spoken words were fair game and not "off the record" comments.
References
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