As a rule, use Jones said in attribution instead of said Jones. Said Jones is awkward. It’s not the people talk: therefore, it seems unnatural in news stories, broadcasts, advertisements and public relations material.
(Avoid)
The bridge will be completed on schedule, said Jones.
(Better)
The bridge will be completed on schedule, Jones said.
However, using Jones said can be [...]
Many journalists avoid using according to. They consider said to be shorter and more straightforward. They especially avoid starting a sentence with according to because it shifts the emphasis to the source instead of to the subject matter.
The best advice may be to use according to when referring to inanimate objects (The president will veto [...]
Feel, think, and believe are not interchangeable.
Use feel to refer to your sense of touch (The new material feels soft) and to refer to your health or state of being ( I feel good today, or I feel uneasy about spending so much money).
Use think to express an opinion ( The senator said she thinks [...]
Journalists don’t know what their sources are thinking or planning unless their sources tell them. However, journalists sometimes write or broadcast as if the have the power to read minds or make predictions. Avoid this problem by inserting he/she said. Let your readers or your listeners know the statement came form the source and not [...]
Without consciously meaning to, journalists sometimes order their readers and listeners to do one thing or another. By avoiding second-person writing in these instance, journalists can elimanate the problem.
(Avoid)
To apply for a low-interest student loan, go to the business office before 4 p.m. Friday.
(Better)
Applications for low-interest student loans may be made at the business office [...]
