Quoting, Rule #4 Quote accurately. Omitting words from a quotation Using ellipses Using brackets Quoting words that are already quoted (quotation within a quotation)

Rule #4: Quote accurately. Some experts say we should never cut and paste from a source into a paper, as that leads to plagiarism.

There is a positive aspect to cutting and pasting: Cutting and pasting ensures that you quote accurately! So if you limit your cutting and pasting to direct quotations, you might be safe!

1. As previously noted, you do not have to quote an entire sentence or phrase; you can omit words. You can quote just some of the words or phrases, embedding them into your own sentences.  We know that Pare has adopted Deniger’s habit of repeating funny-sounding words when he introduces the phrase “bulbous bouffant.”

You can omit words from a quotation IF Remember, however, that you have to be fair: You can omit words from a quotation IF the omission doesn’t change the meaning of the quotation!

Here’s an example of what NOT to do: “’Oh, darling I missed you!’ she cried. . . .” “and fired the gun again.”

2. Use ellipses to show that words have been omitted. Use 3 spaced periods when omitting words from the middle of a quotation: SPACE • SPACE • SPACE • SPACE Hunt writes, “At present, widespread use of hydrogen technology . . . is not practical” (5).

SPACE • SPACE • SPACE • SPACE Here’s one way to remember to use 3 spaced periods when omitting words from the middle of a quotation--think of the periods as planets, with SPACE on either side of them! SPACE • SPACE • SPACE • SPACE

• SPACE • SPACE • SPACE • SPACE ” B. When omitting words from the end of a sentence, the beginning of the next sentence, or an entire sentence. . . . Use a period plus three spaced periods. • SPACE • SPACE • SPACE • SPACE ” According to James Mackintosh and Kevin Morrison, “There is not enough platinum in the world to replace all the existing internal combustion engines with fuel cells. . . . ”

SPACE • SPACE • SPACE • ” (CITE)• If you have a parenthetical citation, move the fourth period to the end of that citation; add space before first period. SPACE • SPACE • SPACE • ” (CITE)• According to James Mackintosh and Kevin Morrison, “There is not enough platinum in the world to replace all the existing internal combustion engines with fuel cells . . .” (Hunt 6).     

What’s missing in the long quotation below--words from the middle of a sentence or words from the end? (Pretend it’s indented 10 spaces from the left!) Hunt writes, But it’s worth remembering that in 1870 the telephone was science fiction,as was the airplane in 1900, home television in 1920,the desktop computer in 1970, and the World Wide Web in 1990. . . . Such developments were made possible . . . because of the commitment and hard work of one or more individuals. (6-7)

3. Use Brackets to add words to a quotation. When you add words to a quotation to clarify or indicate an error, use brackets. ( ) = parentheses [ ] = brackets

A. Sometimes you need to add words to a quotation to clarify: Hunt writes that “this is likely to change, however, if not over the next few years, then over the next few decades” (5). (What is “this” in the previous quotation?) Hunt writes that “this [lack of hydrogen infrastructure] is likely to change, however, if not over the next few years, then over the next few decades” (5).

Avoid the overuse of brackets Avoid the overuse of brackets. If possible, change your signal phrase and avoid using brackets. Hunt writes that “this [lack of hydrogen infrastructure] is likely to change, however, if not over the next few years, then over the next few decades” (5). Hunt writes that a lack of hydrogen infrastructure “is likely to change, however, if not over the next few years, then over the next few decades” (5).

B. To indicate an error in the source, add [sic] right after the error. sic = Latin for “thus” Lundstedt writes, "I can't weight [sic] for the weekend."

4. Quoting words that are already quoted (quotation within a quotation) Sometimes, what you quote may already be quoted in the source--the words already have double quotation marks around them.

There are two ways to quote words that are already quoted: The first method works in any situation. Learn this method! The second method only works in certain situations. If you find it confusing, stick with the first method.

Method #1 of quoting words already quoted: 1. Put your own double marks before and after the quotation. Change the source’s double quotation marks to single quotation marks. (Get ready for Quoting Calisthenics!)

Friedman states, “Second are people who are really Here’s the way the sentence looks on the source’s page: 241 Second are people who are really “localized” and “anchored.” This category includes many, many people. They are safe because of 1. Type quotation and add double quotation marks at beginning and end of the quoted material (as usual). Friedman states, “Second are people who are really “localized” and “anchored”” (241). 2. Change the double marks of the original to single quotation marks. ‘localized’ and ‘anchored’” (241).

The source: As former Clinton national economic advisor Gene Sperling rightly argues, “We either grow together or we will grow apart.” 1. Type quotation and add double quotation marks at beginning and end of the quoted material (as usual). Gene Sperling, national economic advisor for Clinton, says, ““We either grow together or we will grow apart.”” Change the double marks of the original quotation to single quotations marks. Gene Sperling, national economic advisor for Clinton, says, “’We either grow together or we will grow apart.’”

Method #2 of quoting words already quoted: 1. If you are quoting an entire sentence, leave the double marks that appear with the quoted words. Add (qtd. in + the author’s name) to parenthetical citation.

Here’s how Method #2 works: 1. The words to be quoted have to have double quotation marks at the beginning and end. 241 states, “The problem is in the middle.” Blah o blah Type quotation exactly the way it appears in the source (including the double quotation marks) and add qtd. in to citation: Nandan Nilekani comments on the precarious position of the third group of Americans: “The problem is in the middle” (qtd. in Friedman 241).

Here’s the earlier quotation using Method #2: The source: As former Clinton national economic advisor Gene Sperling rightly argues, “We either grow together or we will grow apart.” 1. If you are quoting an entire sentence, leave the double marks that appear with the quoted words. Add (qtd. in + the author’s name) to parenthetical citation. Gene Sperling, national economic advisor for Clinton, says, “We either grow together or we will grow apart” (qtd. in Friedman 241).

Final note: Long quotations within quotations do use double quotation marks as well as indentions in Method #1: An African proverb has been adopted by some business people: “Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle . . . when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.” (“Business Wisdom”)

Here’s Method #2: An African proverb has been adopted by some business people: Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle. . . when the sun comes up, you'd better be running. (qtd. in “Business Wisdom”)