introducing sources 1

INTRODUCING

SOURCESUsing Quotes in MLA format By Dr Iris

Ruiz

Writers use quotations for a variety of

purposes

to argue with another authorrsquos definition of a term

to provide statistical evidence or testimony

to validate a claim to

present the reader with a statement we wish to refute or discuss in detail

Credibility

Analytical Abilities

Control of text

Why quote Adds to your writing persona

When should you quote

Writers should use direct quotations only when

the sourcersquos words are particularly relevant

powerful andor an extremely representative

example of that specific authorrsquos thinking

A good policy is to use short quotes (no more

than 25 words) and otherwise summarize or

paraphrase sources whenever possible

When summarizing however be sure to

represent the author accurately and fairly

ldquoMassagingrdquo the quotes in your

text

When quotations are included

they

should be an integral part of

the

textmdasha vital part of the

discussion

Some warning signs that

indicate a

writer has lost control of

The Salting Syndrome

If a reader can remove the quotes that have

been

ldquosprinkledrdquo through the paper and still

understand the essay then the quotes are not

an integral part of the essay and do not further

the argument

The WeakStrong Stroke

If the reader sees only glimpses of a writerrsquos voice used to introduce long quotations from others heshe will assume the writer has lost control over the text and could become frustrated over not reading any original commentary

When you include

quotations make sure

that they are

integrated smoothly

into YOUR argument

flow and syntax of

the paper without any

logical or grammatical

jolts

Weak Strong

INTRODUCING

QUOTES

Goal Avoid using dropped quoteshelliphellip

Always use a signal phrase when introducing

quotes that are not integrated in the actual

sentence

All borrowed ideas or words should be

accompanied by a signal phrase that names

the author or otherwise alerts the reader that

the information is from a source The best

signal phrases connect the quote to the point

you are trying to make argue

George Smith another supporter of cloning and the President of the Human Cloning Foundation believes that science fiction works have created hysteria in the popular media Smith argues ldquoFrom Frankenstein to The Sixth Day our popular media has done nothing but stir up the publicrsquos anxiety about monstersrdquo (25) His views on the popular media tell us

A view that contradicts Smithrsquos is articulated by John Brown who contends that ldquoGod never intended for man to participate in his acts of creation He will never condone our interference in his plan for usrdquo (235) Brown makes it clear that

Integrated quotes in sentences

Sometimes

the writer

finds that the

quote will

integrate

easily into a

sentence

that they

have

constructed

themselves

Example

Smith argues that the popular media ldquolook only to the profit [they] can gain from the picture [they] paint of the cloning procedurerdquo (27)

Notice the bracketshellipwhat are their function

Variety is IMPORTANT

Sentences containing quotes

should be varied in structure for

greater readability

In the words of researcher

Herbert Terrace ldquo rdquo ( page )

As Flora Davis has noted ldquo rdquo

( )

The Gardners Washoersquos

trainers point out that ldquo rdquo ( )

ldquo rdquo claims Noam Chomsky (

)

Terrance answers these

objections with the following

Introductory clauses and phrases

should always be logical and

grammatical

1048714 NOTmdashIn Smithrsquos essay he says ldquo

rdquo In Smithrsquos essay it says ldquo rdquo or

Smithrsquos essay states ldquo rdquo BUTmdashIn

his essay Smith states ldquo rdquo

Donrsquot forget It has to be

grammatical and logical

Who is this person

Characteristics of the source

If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material

Characterize a publication

ldquoThe National Review a publication

well known for its conservative

stance includes Smithrsquos opinions

on a regular basisrdquo

Introducing Quotes with

Interesting Verbs

comments analyzes contends disparages admits

describes asks defends belittles agrees

explains assesses disagrees bemoans concedes

illustrates concludes holds complains concurs

notes finds insists condemns grants

observes predicts maintains deplores

points out proposes deprecates

records reveals derides

relates shows laments

reports speculates warns

says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes

Writers use quotations for a variety of

purposes

to argue with another authorrsquos definition of a term

to provide statistical evidence or testimony

to validate a claim to

present the reader with a statement we wish to refute or discuss in detail

Credibility

Analytical Abilities

Control of text

Why quote Adds to your writing persona












text


they


the


discussion


indicate a




been




the argument



When you include


that they are

integrated smoothly

into YOUR argument

flow and syntax of



jolts

Weak Strong

INTRODUCING

QUOTES




sentence










Sometimes

the writer

finds that the

quote will

integrate

easily into a

sentence

that they

have

constructed

themselves

Example






greater readability




( )




)





grammatical







Who is this person


If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material







Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes












text


they


the


discussion


indicate a




been




the argument



When you include


that they are

integrated smoothly

into YOUR argument

flow and syntax of



jolts

Weak Strong

INTRODUCING

QUOTES




sentence










Sometimes

the writer

finds that the

quote will

integrate

easily into a

sentence

that they

have

constructed

themselves

Example






greater readability




( )




)





grammatical







Who is this person


If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material







Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes



been




the argument



When you include


that they are

integrated smoothly

into YOUR argument

flow and syntax of



jolts

Weak Strong

INTRODUCING

QUOTES




sentence










Sometimes

the writer

finds that the

quote will

integrate

easily into a

sentence

that they

have

constructed

themselves

Example






greater readability




( )




)





grammatical







Who is this person


If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material







Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes



When you include


that they are

integrated smoothly

into YOUR argument

flow and syntax of



jolts

Weak Strong

INTRODUCING

QUOTES




sentence










Sometimes

the writer

finds that the

quote will

integrate

easily into a

sentence

that they

have

constructed

themselves

Example






greater readability




( )




)





grammatical







Who is this person


If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material







Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes

INTRODUCING

QUOTES




sentence










Sometimes

the writer

finds that the

quote will

integrate

easily into a

sentence

that they

have

constructed

themselves

Example






greater readability




( )




)





grammatical







Who is this person


If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material







Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes



sentence










Sometimes

the writer

finds that the

quote will

integrate

easily into a

sentence

that they

have

constructed

themselves

Example






greater readability




( )




)





grammatical







Who is this person


If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material







Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes




Sometimes

the writer

finds that the

quote will

integrate

easily into a

sentence

that they

have

constructed

themselves

Example






greater readability




( )




)





grammatical







Who is this person


If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material







Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes




greater readability




( )




)





grammatical







Who is this person


If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material







Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes



grammatical







Who is this person


If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material







Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes

Who is this person


If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material







Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes


If I want my

reader to be

able to know

special

characteristi

cs about the

source Irsquom

using I can

also include

that in the

introduction

of my source

material







Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes


Interesting Verbs











says suggests

sees supposes

thinks

writes

introducing sources 1

Education