Pull Quotes

Definition

Pull quotes are selected excerpts from a larger piece of text that are highlighted and displayed prominently within the content. They serve to draw attention to significant statements, enhance readability, and provide visual interest, making important points stand out for the reader. In long-form and explanatory journalism, pull quotes can effectively encapsulate key insights, creating a connection between the reader and the narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pull quotes can be formatted in various styles, such as larger font sizes or distinctive colors, to make them visually appealing.
2. In long-form journalism, pull quotes can serve as a summary of critical arguments or emotional appeals, encouraging readers to engage more deeply with the text.
3. They can also break up large blocks of text, making articles less intimidating and easier to navigate for readers.
4. Pull quotes often come from interviews or key sections of the article, highlighting the voice of a subject or expert to add credibility.
5. Using pull quotes strategically can enhance storytelling by emphasizing themes or significant moments in the narrative.

Review Questions

• How do pull quotes enhance the readability and engagement of long-form journalism?
  • Pull quotes enhance readability by breaking up large blocks of text and providing visual breaks that guide the reader through the content. They highlight key points and significant statements, drawing attention to important ideas and making it easier for readers to grasp essential themes. This engagement is crucial in long-form journalism, where complex narratives can benefit from visually appealing elements that maintain the reader's interest.
• Discuss the role of pull quotes in conveying emotional impact and authority in explanatory journalism.
  • Pull quotes play a significant role in conveying emotional impact by showcasing powerful statements that resonate with readers. By featuring direct quotes from subjects or experts, they lend authority to the narrative, reinforcing the credibility of the information presented. In explanatory journalism, this helps clarify complex issues while allowing the voices of those affected or knowledgeable to shine through, ultimately deepening reader understanding.
• Evaluate how effective use of pull quotes can influence a reader's perception of a long-form article's overall message.
  • Effective use of pull quotes can significantly influence a reader's perception by framing key ideas in a compelling manner. When strategically placed, they can act as anchors that reinforce the article's main arguments or emotional tone. This selective highlighting guides readers toward specific interpretations, shaping their understanding of the overall message and encouraging them to reflect on the most critical elements of the narrative presented.

Related terms

Quotations: Directly cited speech or written text from a source, used to support claims or provide authority in journalism.

Infographics: Visual representations of information or data that can complement textual content and enhance audience engagement.

Lead: The opening sentence or paragraph of a news article that summarizes the main point and grabs the reader's attention.