Integrating Quotations
When to Use Quotes Quoting allows a writer to directly state what someone has already said. In other words, it is when a writer uses another person’s writing and incorporates it into his or her writing. Quoting is an excellent way to incorporate textual evidence, but the main reason to quote another author is because that author’s exact words are somehow meaningful, stirring, poetic, or essential.
Integrating Quotes It can be very easy to plant a quotation into the middle of paragraph and then move on with your own sentences. Most students expect the quotation to do the work for them and prove their point. However, integrating quotations into the argument is essential. You must introduce, acknowledge, engage, and analyze the quotation, this way it fits neatly into your paper. E.g. The new technology is a threat to the English language. “Abbreviations commonly used in online instant messages are creeping into formal essays” (Frost 2). Note that the above example does not try to integrate the quotation; it simply lumps the quotation in with the author’s own writing. E.g. Some instructors claim that the new technology is a threat to the English language. “Abbreviations commonly used in online instant messages are creeping into formal essays,” writes Debbie Frost, a sixth-grade teacher (2). The revised version sets up the quotation in the first sentence, and then transitions out of the quotation in the second sentence.
Quoting out of Context Another danger of simply lumping quotations in is that you risk taking the quote out of context: E.g. Many news editors and reporters maintain that it is impossible to keep personal opinions from influencing the selection and presentation of facts. “True, news reporters, like everyone else, form impressions of what they see and hear. However, a good reporter does not fail to separate opinions from facts” (Lyman 52). Note that in the above example, the quotation actually diverges from the author’s intended meaning; if the author had been more careful, he or she could have used the quotation more effectively to corroborate their point: E.g. Many news editors and reporters maintain that it is impossible to keep personal opinions from influencing the selection and presentation of facts. Yet not all authorities agree with this view. One editor grants that “news reporters, like everyone else, form impressions of what they see and hear.” Nevertheless, he also insists, “a good reporter does not fail to separate opinions from facts” (Lyman 52).
Brackets [ ] and Ellipses . . . Brackets are used to add material to quotations. Ellipses are used to omit material from quotations.
Using Brackets to Add Material
Using Ellipses to Remove Material
Using Ellipses to Remove Material
Author Infers/Suggests Tools of the Trade When introducing a quotation, use a verb to indicate how the author feels about the subject: Author is Neutral Author Infers/Suggests Author Argues Author Agrees Author is Disparaging comments analyzes claims admits belittles describes asks contends agrees bemoans explains assesses defends concedes complains illustrates concludes disagrees concurs condemns notes finds holds grants deplores observes predicts insists deprecates points out proposes maintains derides records reveals laments relates shows warns reports speculates says suggests sees supposes thinks writes
Works Cited “Quotations” by http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/quotations/ “How to Use Quotation Marks” by https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/577/01/ “MLA Formatting Quotations” by https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/03/