incorporating quotations

Incorporating Quotations : 

Incorporating Quotations “ ”

Why use outside sources? : 

Why use outside sources? Other voices lend authority and credibility to your own opinions Using sources shows that you can support your ideas Incorporating outside sources shows that you can conduct research and find support for your views

Guidelines for incorporating quotations : 

Guidelines for incorporating quotations When you quote a source directly, quote word-for-word; do not make any changes to the original quotation Enclose the quotation in quotation marks Use a signal phrase to introduce every quotation; do not “drop” quotations into your writing without a signal phrase

More guidelines : 

More guidelines Follow each quotation with a citation Elaborate on each quotation and connect it to the point you are making

Example: quote word-for-word : 

Example: quote word-for-word Quotation: “One of the steps in learning to write well is learning to think critically” (Smith 3). Incorrect: “One of the steps in learning to write is learning to think critically” (Smith 3). Correct: “One of the steps in learning to write . . . is learning to think critically” (Smith 3). NOTE: If you do not include a word or phrase from the quotation, then you must indicate what you left out with an ellipsis Incorrect: “One of the MANY steps in learning to write EFFECTIVELY is learning to think critically” (Smith 3). Correct: “ONE OF THE STEPS in learning to write WELL is learning to think critically” (Smith 3). NOTE: Quote word-for-word, without changing any words

Example: using quotation marks : 

Example: using quotation marks Incorrect: One of the steps in learning to write well is learning to think critically (Smith 3). Correct: “One of the steps in learning to write well is learning to think critically” (Smith 3). Using a quotation without quotation marks is technically considered plagiarism and is a serious error. Always enclose quotations in quotation marks

Example: using a signal phrase : 

Example: using a signal phrase A signal phrase introduces a quotation so the reader does not feel a jolt when moving from your words to the words of a source. Many times the signal phrase includes the author’s name or the name of the person saying the quotation Incorrect: Jane Smith, a writer for The Times, says learning to write isn’t as simple as she thought. “One of the steps in learning to write well is learning to think critically” (3). NOTE: This is an example of a dropped quote Correct: According to author Jane Smith, in her article from The Times, “One of the steps in learning to write well is learning to think critically” (3). What if the author, Jane Smith, is quoting someone else? Correct: According to professor John Jones, “One of the steps in learning to write well is learning to think critically” (Smith 3). Also correct: According to professor John Jones in an article by Jane Smith, “One of the steps in learning to write well is learning to think critically” (3).

Example: elaborating on support : 

Example: elaborating on support A quotation is support for your point; do not be tempted to let the quotation speak for you. Elaborate and connect the quotation to your point Correct: According to professor John Jones, “One of the steps in learning to write well is learning to think critically” (Smith 3). Does it make sense to write an essay without thoroughly analyzing the sources and outlining your thoughts? No. I agree with Professor Jones’ philosophy that writing involves thinking first. Other suggestions: Try not to begin a paragraph with a quotation; make your point with a topic sentence first and then support your point with a quotation Try not to end a paragraph with a quotation; elaborate and connect the quotation to your point, and then transition to the next paragraph

Example: follow a quote with a citation : 

Example: follow a quote with a citation It is important that your readers realize when you are quoting a source. Therefore, you must always follow a quotation with a citation Incorrect: According to professor John Jones, “One of the steps in learning to write well is learning to think critically” (3). NOTE: Even though you are quoting Jones’ statement, he is not the author of the article; you cite Smith Correct: According to professor John Jones, “One of the steps in learning to write well is learning to think critically” (Smith 3). Notice that the quotation marks go around the quotation but not outside of the citation Notice that the period goes after the citation, not after the quotation Notice that in MLA style there is no comma between the author’s last name and the page number For more citation guidelines, see your handbook