Quotes in Papers

Purpose Quoting from the novel, play, or other work being discussed is the strongest way of providing evidence in a paper. A good quote serves as “proof” that what you are arguing is correct.

Issues Quotes can be used properly or improperly. A well-used quote can strengthen your paper and your argument immensely. A poorly chosen or used quote makes you look bad and weakens your argument.

Issues Placement – Your quotes should never begin or end your paragraphs. Each quote needs to be introduced and then discussed. That is the only correct way of using a quote. Think of starting or ending a paragraph with a quote as impossible.

Issues Stand Alone Quotes – Far too often beginning writers just drop quotes into their papers. They fail to either introduce the quote, to analyze it, or both. Rather than improving your paper, these quotes interrupt the flow of your writing without adding anything to it.

Issues Choosing quotes – Quotes should be revealing, but not obvious. Do not use a quote that merely repeats what you’ve already said. Instead, choose a quote that serves as evidence for your argument, one that requires you as the writer to discuss it, analyze it, and explain how it fits into your argument as a whole

Example “‘Thou art a villain.’ Tybalt says this to Romeo because he wants to fight Romeo. Tybalt hates Romeo and wants to kill him. Poorly chosen quote. Not introduced. Not analyzed.

Example “Tybalt’s hatred for Romeo goes beyond that felt by the rest of the feuding families. Tybalt will settle for nothing less than violence, even when the occasion does not call for it. For example, when Tybalt harasses Romeo, the young Montague refuses to retaliate. Instead he submits to Tybalt and professes his love for the Capulets. Although he’s already made Romeo look submissive in front of his friends, Tybalt continues his harassment, and says, ‘Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries/That thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.’ Tybalt brushes Romeo’s kindness aside and challenges him to a duel, demonstrating that the only victory recognized by Tybalt is a physical one.”