How to Quote

How to QuoteBritish LiteratureDirect QuotesDirect quotations involve incorporating another person's exact words into your own writing.Indirect Quotes Indirect quotations are not exact wordings but rather rephrasing or summaries of another person's words. In this case, it is not necessary to use quotation marks. However, indirect quotations still require proper citations, and you will be committing plagiarism if you fail to do so.When to use Direct vs. IndirectMany writers struggle with when to use direct quotations versus indirect quotations. Use the following tips to guide you in your choice.

Use direct quotations when the source material uses language that is particularly striking or notable. Do not rob such language of its power by altering it.

ExampleMartin Luther King Jr. believed that the end of slavery was important and of great hope to millions of slaves done horribly wrong.

The above should never stand in for:Martin Luther King Jr. said of the Emancipation Proclamation, "This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice."

Use an indirect quotation (or paraphrase) when you merely need to summarize key incidents or details of the text.Use direct quotations when the author you are quoting has coined a term unique to her or his research and relevant within your own paper.When to use direct quotes versus indirect quotes is ultimately a choice you'll learn a feeling for with experience. However, always try to have a sense for why you've chosen your quote. In other words, never put quotes in your paper simply because your teacher says, "You must use quotes."General RulesA direct quotation begins with a capital letter. If the quotation is only a fragment of a sentence, do not begin it with a capital letter.

If the quote is only a phrase, do not set it off by commas: Jack is described as dog-like as he hunts for pigs.

General RulesPlace punctuation marks according to the following rules: a. Commas and periods always go before the quotation marks. b. Semicolons and colons go after quotation marks c. Question marks and exclamation points are place inside the closing quotation marks if they belong with the quotation; otherwise, they are placed outside. Wait, What? What are colons and semi-colons?http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/semicolons.aspx

General RulesUse single quotation marks to enclose a quotation within a quotation. Double quotation marks () always begin and end a direct quote

Example: Did you understand what the boss meant when he said, Check the vendor number and class on all of these ? asked Jim. General RulesUse an ellipsis ()in the place of words omitted from a quote. Avoid an ellipsis at the beginning and end of a sentence. Four periods are used to indicate the omission of a whole sentence or more, or even a paragraph or more

Example: I am really above being a building superintendentCircumstances made me what I am. General Rules Use brackets [ ] to enclose words you add within a quoted passage

Example: He [James Sullivan] was very fond of saying I am really a cut above being a superintendent. General RulesThe page number of quotations should always be placed in parentheses AFTER the quotation. Place appropriate punctuation AFTER the parentheses. He was extraordinarily fond of saying

Example: I am really a cut above being a building superintendent (21). In-text CitationsIf you have more than one source in your paper, then you must specify which one you are citing (if not already done so in the sentence)

MLA format follows the author-page method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the page number(s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken must appear in the text, and a complete reference should appear on your Works Cited page. The author's name may appear either in the sentence itself or in parentheses following the quotation or paraphrase, but the page number(s) should always appear in the parentheses, not in the text of your sentence. Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263).

Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263).

Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).

Citing Authors with Same Last Name Sometimes more information is necessary to identify the source from which a quotation is taken. For instance, if two or more authors have the same last name, provide both authors' first initials (or even the authors' full name if different authors share initials) in your citation. For example:Although some medical ethicists claim that cloning will lead to designer children (R. Miller 12), others note that the advantages for medical research outweigh this consideration (A. Miller 46).

Citing a Work by Multiple AuthorsFor a source with three or fewer authors, list the authors' last names in the text or in the parenthetical citation:Smith, Yang, and Moore argue that tougher gun control is not needed in the United States (76).The authors state "Tighter gun control in the United States erodes Second Amendment rights" (Smith, Yang, and Moore 76).

Citing a Work by 4 or moreFor a source with more than three authors, use the work's bibliographic information as a guide for your citation. Provide the first author's last name followed by et al. or list all the last names.Jones et al. counter Smith, Yang, and Moore's argument by noting that the current spike in gun violence in America compels law makers to adjust gun laws (4).OrLegal experts counter Smith, Yang, and Moore's argument by noting that the current spike in gun violence in America compels law makers to adjust gun laws (Jones et al. 4).

Block QuotationsFor quotations that extend to more than four lines of verse or prose: place quotations in a free-standing block of text and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented one inch from the left margin; maintain double-spacing. Only indent the first line of the quotation by a half inch if you are citing multiple paragraphs. Your parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark. When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. (You should maintain double-spacing throughout your essay.)Examplehttp://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/03/

How should I weave in quotes and commentary? The S-C-C-C Format

This is a very useful format for citations if you are not very familiar with citations and need to practice a tried and true method. As writers become experienced with citations, they can move away from this format and mix elements up as they see fit.1. Set it up. Set up the context that the quote is from, so that the reader knows when and where the quote is from and who is doing the speaking/writing.2. Citation. Write the quote out, in quotation marks.3. Commentary: Explain how the quote supports your topic/thesis. (Commenting on the quote.)4. Commentary: further commenting on the quote

ExampleIn an effort to make Othello jealous, Iago uses reverse psychology when he warns Othello, O Beware, my lord, of jealousy! /It is the green-eyed monster ( III.iii.180-181). The master of emotional manipulation, Iago controls Othello by warning him unnecessarily against jealousy, thus planting the seeds of jealousy in within Othellos heart. It also gives Iago the opportunity to tell others that he warned Othello, thus absolving Iago of any responsibility.Lead-InsSomebody Said Lead InEven though the narrator feels that it is not the boys responsibility to pay for the broken ax, the boy says, Ill pay for it (65). Blended Lead-In The boy had integrity which is bedded on courage, but it is more than brave. It is honest, but it is more than honesty (65).

The author says the word integrity is very special to me, yet the boy Jerry had it (65). Sentence Lead-InThe narrator tells of her definition of integrity: It is bedded on courage, but it is more than brave. It is honest, but it is more than honesty (65). TransitionsWhy are transitions important?They tell the reader where you are going and what to expect next!

They also explain how the information about to be given relates to the information already given. Resourcehttp://www.smart-words.org/transition-words.html

*Make sure that the transition that you use is accurate* Remember that phrases are better than words, and sentences are better than phrases.

Consider reading the punctuation rules of transition words on the websiteBut Im tired of Punctuation!Dear John:I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours?

Dear John:I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?Yours,JaneReal World Importance