Questions

Recently read a well-written piece on the struggles of a winless football team. It was good work. However, it contained a quote from a nameless fan in the stands - from a game the reporter didn't attend.

I questioned the usage. Thoughts?

Recently read a guy's pair of by-lined gamers from the same night. Games were played at the same time in cities 50-to-75 miles away. He was two places at once, apparently. I have a problem with that.
Had quotes from both games, but had phoned a coach at one. To his credit, he also shot photos at the contest he actually attended. Input?

Finally, what is proper reference? 3-pointer or three-pointer. I'm seeing a lot of both.

Thanks.

 

1. If you are quoting a nameless fan, I assume you are making it up. If the fan has such a great quote, take a second and ask his name.

2. I don't have a problem with a writer having a byline from two games if he wrote the story based on calls or whatever. Shouldn't have a dateline for both.

3. 3-pointer or three-pointer is totally a style issue. I prefer 3-pointer.

 

Basically, Ace wrote mine for me.

 

Thanks, Ace. The quote actually added to the story. The fan was sympathetic to the team's struggles. But, the reporter wasn't at the game. It was obvious most of the information was gathered at a practice session.

I neglected to mention both stories were datelined. Which bugged me the most.

 

People, and almost all places, are not nameless. They have names.

"Unidentified" would be the appropriate term to use.

 

Noted.

 

Why do we never get an answer when we're knocking at the door?

 

The second story, if it is just a phoner, should only be credited with a "staff report" or something else. You put your name on it, and I would assume you were there and the facts are yours. There needs to be some indication that the reporter/writer was not in attendance.

 

No byline on a game you didn't attend.

 

Because the truth is hard to swallow.

 

I prefer this route, too.