Attribution Example Exercises and Worksheet

Attribution Errors

Finding and fixing wording and positioning errors in attributions

Review the "Nine Guidelines for Wording and Positioning Attributions" on Page 82 and 83 of your textbook. Then, in each of the following sentences, identify and fix any attribution errors you find. If a sentence doesn't include any errors, simply indicate this in the text box.

"I saw people running. Then a big guy in a yellow hat swerved and smashed into me and I didn't see anything else," Szelensky said.

I saw people running. Then, I say a big guy in a yellow had that swerved and smashed into me. I was unable to see anything else besides that.

"A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant and the crazy crazier," H.L. Mencken, one of the most famous journalists of his time, said.

H.L. Mencken, a famous journalist, is known as saying "A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant and the crazy, craziers."

"Don't think of him as a Republican," said Maria Shriver, who is married to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "Think of him as the man I love, and if that doesn't work, think of him as the man who can crush you."

No apparent problems. Could have put Arnold's name next to the first "him"….that is about it.

4. "I don't like ketchup on my eggs one bit," Dorfman said."I'm still waiting to hear something that you do like," Holland said.

"I don't like ketchup on my eggs one bit," Dorfman said. Holland replied by saying "I'm still waiting to hear something that you do like."

5. Michal Smythe, press representative for the company, said the cyclone had wiped out the corporate headquarters.

Company press representative Michael Smythe noted that a cyclone had wiped out the corporate headquarters.

6. For instance, former CNN reporter Peter Arnett said: "I'm still in shock and awe at being fired."

No apparent issues (although more context sentences might change that)

7. "The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism," said George Bernard Shaw, "by those who have not got it."

George Bernard Shaw has been quoted as saying "the power of accurate observations is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."

8. Gilda Radner said, "I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch."

No issues.

9. "Passion makes the world go round," Ice T. said. "Love just makes it a safer place," he said.

The "He said" on the end is not needed due to the middle part already saying who said it.

10. "Mistakes are part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from," wrote comedian Al Franken in "Oh, the Things I Know!"

No apparent issues.