Sleep: Attribution

The reason we do frequent attribution is two-fold: first, so that it's clear where we got each bit of information from. Secondly, it's to borrow the expertise of our sources, to build the credibility of our stories.

For example, let's look at this passage:

Understanding that sleep deprivation is a serious problem, how can people solve this problem?

First, find someplace that’s dark and quiet. Shut off all the lights and draw the shades.  Second, it’s good to relax for an hour or so before going to bed. 

Tobacco, coffee, and alcohol are all also bad. As the effects of these substances wear off, your brain becomes more alert, causing you to wake up in the middle of the night, even after falling asleep. 

Now, the reader is fair to ask, where the hell is this information coming from? Is the writer talking out of his or her ass? The reader can't be sure, because there is no attribution. They have no way to judging for themselves whether this is credible information, or not.

But if we add attribution -- Gant said -- then the reader not only knows where the info is coming from, they know it's coming from a sleep expert!

So, now let's add attribution:

Understanding that sleep deprivation is a serious problem, how can people solve this problem?

First, find someplace that’s dark and quiet. Shut off all the lights and draw the shades.  Second, it’s good to relax for an hour or so before going to bed, Gant said. 

Tobacco, coffee, and alcohol are all also bad. As the effects of these substances wear off, your brain becomes more alert, causing you to wake up in the middle of the night, even after falling asleep, Gant said. 

Now, not only does your reader know where the info is coming from, they know it's coming from someone who should know what they're talking about.