Identifying commonly-known people

[The Sundance Kid]

On first reference for big-name coaches and players, do you need their titles or can it be assumed people know who they are?

Such as: "I like football," Jim Tressel said.
"I like football," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said.
"I like football," coach Jim Tressel said.
"I like football," head coach Jim Tressel said.

And so on.

 

[wickedwritah]

In a news story, yes. It's always President Bush, not Dubya in AP copy.

In a column or feature, knock yourself out to play with things.

 

[The Sundance Kid]

In a news story, yes. It's always President Bush, not Dubya in AP copy.

That I knew.

In a column or feature, knock yourself out to play with things.

That I was afraid of.

 

[Babs]

I had to mention Tiger Woods in passing recently in an article. I didn't say "pro golfer Tiger Woods." I made what I think is a safe assumption that people knew who he was, and it was pretty obvious from context anyway.

Besides, he's so now (snicker).

 

[wickedwritah]

I had to mention Tiger Woods in passing recently in an article. I didn't say "pro golfer Tiger Woods." I made what I think is a safe assumption that people knew who he was, and it was pretty obvious from context anyway.

Besides, he's so now (snicker).

Yeah, but you weren't quoting him.

If you were, I'd say a full title on first reference, unless it's obvious who he is -- i.e. it's a column on The Open or somesuch.

 

[Eagleboy]

I always use a resonable-length title in all stories, even on my beat, when identifying people.

Thus, it's always "said head coach Mike Walter," even though I'm covering the Johnstown Flames exclusively and they only have one head coach.

In your example, I'd at least put "Ohio State coach Jim Tressel" in non-beat matters and "head coach Jim Tressel" if you're a Buckeyes beat writer.

 

[forever_town]

I fall under the "attribute EVERYTHING" category.

Former Orioles shortstop and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.

Then again, I've broken from AP and required first AND last names of Presidents even when they're not H-Dub and Dub.

One of the very few names I'd think would need no attribution is Madonna. And I'd even attribute her.

 

[da man]

On first reference for big-name coaches and players, do you need their titles or can it be assumed people know who they are?

Such as: "I like football," Jim Tressel said.
"I like football," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said.
"I like football," coach Jim Tressel said.
"I like football," head coach Jim Tressel said.

And so on.

Jim who?

 

[Point of Order]

I fall under the "attribute EVERYTHING" category.

Former Orioles shortstop and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.

Then again, I've broken from AP and required first AND last names of Presidents even when they're not H-Dub and Dub.

One of the very few names I'd think would need no attribution is Madonna. And I'd even attribute her.

... the former German Furor Adolf Hitler.

 

[spnited]

Yes, that Hitler did create quite a furor.

 

[Ben_Hecht]

In a news story, yes. It's always President Bush, not Dubya in AP copy.

That I knew.

In a column or feature, knock yourself out to play with things.

That I was afraid of.

I prefer the old Spy magazine style:

"Donald Trump, short-fingered vulgarian . . . "

. . . myself . . .

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Yes, that Hitler did create quite a furor.

Any parallels drawn to Butsch do that, around here, as well . . .

 

[Bob Slydell]

I fall under the "attribute EVERYTHING" category.

Former Orioles shortstop and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.

Then again, I've broken from AP and required first AND last names of Presidents even when they're not H-Dub and Dub.

One of the very few names I'd think would need no attribution is Madonna. And I'd even attribute her.

I never assume people know who everyone is. So on first ref at least say Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel. After that, just call him Mr. Sweater Vest.

 

[forever_town]

I fall under the "attribute EVERYTHING" category.

Former Orioles shortstop and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.

Then again, I've broken from AP and required first AND last names of Presidents even when they're not H-Dub and Dub.

One of the very few names I'd think would need no attribution is Madonna. And I'd even attribute her.

I never assume people know who everyone is. So on first ref at least say Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel. After that, just call him Mr. Sweater Vest.

Head coach of what? The badmitton team? The bocce ball club?

Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel.

After that, Tressel. If you're fixin' for a libel suit and you work at a newspaper with heavy readership in Ann Arbor, feel free to call him douchebag on later refs.

 

[Sxysprtswrtr]

The artist formerly known as Prince

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

I fall under the "attribute EVERYTHING" category.

Former Orioles shortstop and Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.

Then again, I've broken from AP and required first AND last names of Presidents even when they're not H-Dub and Dub.

One of the very few names I'd think would need no attribution is Madonna. And I'd even attribute her.

... the former German Furor Adolf Hitler.

Rickey Henderson's strike zone is as small as former German Furor Adolf Hitler's heart....

 

[Ace]

What's with all the furor over Hitler?

 

[BB Bobcat]

The phrase "head coach" is one of my pet peeves. I prefer just "coach" and then "assistant coach," "linebackers coach," etc. etc. I think there are coaches and then assistants.

Just like "basketball" and "women's basketball" but that's another thread

 

[cranberry]

Depends on your publication and audience, of course. However, for practical purposes, I think you answer the question for yourself in the thread title. If the figure is "commonly known" it isn't typically necessary. I consistently edit stuff like "New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter" in ledes to shorten them. Sometimes I like to drop it in an attribution later in the story: "..," the Yankees' shortstop said.

 

[Football_Bat]

Yes, that Hitler did create quite a furor.

Any parallels drawn to Butsch do that, around here, as well . . .

He was OK at first, but then he went too far.