Brackets are punctuation marks used in writing to enclose additional information or clarification within a sentence. They help clarify the meaning or provide context without interrupting the main flow of thought. Brackets are typically used in academic writing and journalism to indicate editorial additions, explanations, or corrections to quoted material.
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Brackets come in pairs: the opening bracket '[' and the closing bracket ']'.
They are commonly used to add information that clarifies a quotation without altering the original text.
Brackets can also denote changes made to quoted material, such as indicating alterations in tense or gender for clarity.
In some contexts, brackets may be used to indicate a specific reference in mathematical expressions or coding.
It is important not to overuse brackets, as excessive use can make writing confusing and disrupt readability.
Review Questions
How do brackets function differently from parentheses in written text?
Brackets serve to provide essential clarifications or alterations directly related to quoted material, making them integral to understanding the content. In contrast, parentheses are used for supplementary information that is not crucial to the main point but adds context. This distinction is important in newswriting and academic contexts, where accuracy and clarity are paramount.
Discuss the appropriate use of brackets when quoting sources in journalism.
In journalism, brackets should be used sparingly and only when necessary to clarify or modify a quote. This includes adding missing context or correcting grammatical errors without altering the speaker's intended message. Properly using brackets ensures that the audience fully understands the quote's significance while maintaining fidelity to the original statement.
Evaluate how the misuse of brackets can impact the integrity of news reporting.
Misusing brackets can severely compromise the integrity of news reporting by introducing bias or misrepresenting a source's intended message. When brackets are incorrectly applied, they may alter the perceived meaning of a quote, leading readers to misunderstand key points or context. This highlights the importance of using brackets judiciously and with clear intent, ensuring that journalistic standards of accuracy and fairness are upheld.
Quotation marks are punctuation marks used to indicate direct speech or quotations from a source, highlighting the exact words spoken or written.
footnotes: Footnotes are references or comments placed at the bottom of a page, providing additional information about a particular point in the main text.