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brackets and parenthesis

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by ScribePharisee, Oct 8, 2008.

  1. ScribePharisee

    ScribePharisee New Member

    Some papers use fill in information to clarify quoteswith parenthesis instead of brackets.

    What do you do?

    "Coach (John) Taylor gave him the go-ahead to punt (on the final drive)," Williams said.

    or
    Coach [John] Taylor gave him the go-ahead to punt [on the final drive]," Williams said.
     
  2. imjustagirl

    imjustagirl Active Member

    At my old paper, in quotes we used brackets. Outside of quotes I think we used parentheses.
     
  3. ScribePharisee

    ScribePharisee New Member

    I set myself up. Don't say both. :)
     
  4. imjustagirl

    imjustagirl Active Member

    Huh? I was just telling you what we did. Sorry.
     
  5. zebracoy

    zebracoy Guest

    Brackets always go in quotes.

    As for parentheses, I always had it hammered into me that if you've got something worth note, work it into the story or don't write it at all. Only use parentheses in text if it's a record/ERA/starter and the like.
     
  6. Drip

    Drip Active Member

    At some papers, its the reverse. It depends on the paper's style.
     
  7. zebracoy

    zebracoy Guest

    Well, right. I meant at my shop, brackets always go in quotes - for us. It will depend on style, though. You're right.
     
  8. mustangj17

    mustangj17 Active Member

    Always brackets for me.
     
  9. ScribePharisee

    ScribePharisee New Member

    Somehow I erased a critical line of that last post. Which was:
    Do you ever see it used both ways in print or web, or am I crazy for thinking it is?

    Hence, the justified "Huh?"
     
  10. editorhoo

    editorhoo Member

    If I'm substituting a word for what the quotee said, I use parenthesis. If I'm adding my own word to the quote, I use brackets.
     
  11. azom

    azom Member

    (parenthesis)
     
  12. Mystery_Meat

    Mystery_Meat Guest

    We use parenthesis outside of quotes. And we don't use quotes with parentheses or ellipses. Ever.
     
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