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Proper way to quote relay

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Platyrhynchos, Apr 2, 2007.

  1. sportschick

    sportschick Active Member

    Depends on your paper's style. Every one I've worked at used an X. I don't like it, but I'm not in charge.
     
  2. Tom Petty

    Tom Petty Guest

    every sports editor you've had has been old, haven't they?
     
  3. sportschick

    sportschick Active Member

    They've all been over 40, if that's what you mean.
     
  4. 2muchcoffeeman

    2muchcoffeeman Well-Known Member

    AP style, and a good and correct style it is.

    Had a coach ask me why I did it that way rather than four-by-whathaveyou; told him it's less confusing for the reader and refers to the total length of the race.
     
  5. Mitch21

    Mitch21 Member

    ouch...I am the beat writer for FSU track and field.

    At least they were National Champs in 06.
     
  6. forever_town

    forever_town Well-Known Member

    This sounds like the best way to go.

    If your first refer is the quote, I'd either bracket the explanation or I'd include an explanation in the next sentence of the graf.

    Ex: "I thought we'd do well in the four by one," said Farlingham track coach Charlie Joiner of his team's chances in the four by 100 meter race on Saturday.

    Then again, track isn't exactly my specialty...
     
  7. anybody reading the story is going to know what a 4-by-1 is
     
  8. Angola!

    Angola! Guest

    How long does it take to run this race? Shit, that would be even more boring to watch than the 3,200 meters.
     
  9. forever_town

    forever_town Well-Known Member

    Not necessarily. Besides, you shouldn't write as if everyone knows every term in a given sport. Do you write RBI on EVERY reference?
     
  10. yep
     
  11. Mystery_Meat

    Mystery_Meat Guest

    We know what a 4-by-4 REALLY is:

    [​IMG]
     
  12. forever_town

    forever_town Well-Known Member

    To each his own, I guess.

    I'm from the school of thought that you don't assume everyone reading you knows what the hell you're talking about without some kind of explanation on first reference.
     
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