Attribution tells readers where information comes from. Strong attribution maintains clarity about sources while varying language to avoid monotony. The challenge is balancing variety with accuracy—many common alternatives inject editorial bias. Understanding attribution principles protects journalistic fairness and credibility.
Why "Said" Should Be Your Default
"Said" vs. Alternatives Comparison
| Verb | Problem | Example of Bias |
|---|---|---|
| Said ✓ | None—neutral and accurate | N/A |
| Claimed ✗ | Implies doubt about truthfulness | "The mayor claimed no wrongdoing" |
| Admitted ✗ | Implies guilt | "The company admitted the defect" |
| Insisted ✗ | Suggests defensiveness | "She insisted she was innocent" |
| Revealed ✗ | Implies hidden truth uncovered | "He revealed his plan" |
Key insight: Readers process "said" transparently—their attention stays on content, not the attribution verb. Alternatives draw attention to attribution rather than information.
When Alternative Verbs ARE Appropriate
Acceptable Alternatives (Add Useful Specificity)
| Verb | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | Formal public declarations | "The governor announced her reelection campaign" |
| Testified | Court/hearing statements | "The witness testified he saw the defendant" |
| According to | Documents, reports, studies | "According to census data, population declined" |
| Wrote/Emailed | Written communication | "The superintendent wrote in a memo" |
| Told | With direct object only | "She told reporters" (not just "told") |
10 Attribution Verbs to Avoid
These inject editorial judgment:
- Claimed — implies doubt
- Admitted — implies guilt
- Insisted — implies defensiveness
- Revealed — implies hidden truth
- Conceded — implies reluctant agreement
- Confessed — implies wrongdoing
- Boasted — implies arrogance
- Complained — implies whining
- Acknowledged — can imply reluctant admission
- Opined — unnecessary; use "said"
Attribution Placement Rules
Placement by Situation
| Situation | Placement | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Unfamiliar source | Start with attribution | "Dr. Sarah Chen, a cardiologist, said..." |
| Long quotes | Mid-sentence attribution | "The policy will transform education, the superintendent said, by..." |
| Known source | End attribution | "Taxes would rise, the mayor said." |
| Short quotes | Attribution after | "This is unacceptable," she said. |
Rule: Don't make readers hold 17+ words in memory before telling them who said it. Insert attribution after first clause of long quotes.
Recommended Attribution Mix
- 60-70%: "Said" (neutral default)
- 10-15%: "According to" (documents/data)
- 10-15%: Specific alternatives (announced, testified, wrote)
- 5-10%: "Told" (with direct object)
Frequently Asked Questions About Attribution
Is using "said" repeatedly boring?
No—readers don't notice "said" the way writers do. Studies show readers process "said" transparently, while alternatives draw attention away from content. Variety in quote selection and structure matters more than verb variety.
When should I use "according to"?
For documents, reports, studies, and data—not people. "According to the annual report" is correct. "According to the mayor" is awkward; use "the mayor said."
Can I use "stated" instead of "said"?
"Stated" is acceptable but adds no value. It's formal-sounding without adding information. "Said" is cleaner. Reserve "stated" for formal written declarations if you use it at all.
How do I attribute without saying "said" five times in a paragraph?
Use attribution-free sentences when source is clear. After establishing source, subsequent sentences in same quote block don't need attribution: "'The policy is flawed,' she said. 'We need to start over.'" The second sentence needs no attribution.
Can AI help check attribution bias?
Yes, AI tools like River's Journalism Editor identify potentially biased attribution verbs. It flags words like "claimed" and "admitted" and suggests neutral alternatives. It also checks for attribution placement issues and missing source identification.
Use "said" for the majority of attributions. Reserve alternatives for situations where they add useful specificity. Use River's Journalism Editor to ensure your source attribution maintains neutrality throughout your stories.