Mastering Direct Quotations in Writing
Direct quotations are essential in writing to convey the author's point effectively. This detailed guide covers the proper usage of direct quotations, including punctuation rules and formatting tips. Learn how to integrate direct quotes seamlessly into your writing to enhance clarity and credibility.
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The art of using DIRECT QUOTATIONS in your writing
Direct quotations help show readers the point the author is making SHOWING -Quoting: According to author Bell Hooks, Every day thousands of children in our culture are verbally and physically abused, starved, tortured, and murdered. TELLING -Summarizing: Feminist author bell hooks believes our society disciplines children inappropriately.
Direct Quotations A mini-lesson: From Diana Hacker s A Writer s Reference. 6thedition
Direct Quotations Enclose another person s words spoken or written in quotation marks. Place periods or commas within quotation marks. This is a stick-up, said the well-dressed young woman. I want all your money. EXCEPTION: with a parenthetical in-text citation,
Direct Quotations Place periods or commas within quotation marks. EXCEPTION: with a parenthetical in-text citation, the period follows the citation in parentheses. James M. McPherson comments, approvingly, that the Whigs were not adverse to extending the blessings of American liberty, even to Mexicans and Indians (48).
Direct Quotations Put colons and semicolons outside quotation marks. Harold wrote, I regret that I am unable to attend the fundraiser for AIDS research ; his letter, however, contained a substantial contribution.
Direct Quotations Put question marks and exclamation points inside quotation marks unless they apply to the sentence as a whole. Contrary to tradition, bedtime at my house is marked by mommy, can I tell you a story now? Have you heard the old proverb, Do not climb the hill until you reach it ?
General guidelines for selecting direct quotations to use: Short quotations are preferable. Instead of whole sentences, choose key phrases. Fairly represent the original writer s point. Directly and clearly connect to the point(s) you are making.
FRAME EVERY QUOTATION Introduce the quotation. Include the quotation. Comment on the quotation and its significance, making sure the reader understands what you are using the quotation to show.
QUOTATION SANDWICH Introductory statement Quotation Explanation
Templates for Introducing Quotations (from They Say, I Say, pg. 43) X states, ____________. As the prominent philosopher X puts it, __________. According to X, _________. X himself writes, __________. In her book, _______, X maintains that __________. In X s view, _____________. X disagrees when he writes, ________. X complicates matters further when she writes, ___________.
When explaining or commenting on quotations, think the phrase: In other words ...
In other words activity: Each person writes an in other words statement to explain a quotation they re given on a slip of paper -- the more ridiculous or obtuse the quotations the better! Read some out loud.
Try the in other words activity with these quotations : Normally in an ollie, your stance would be regular or goofy, but for a backside pop-shuvit, you need to push mongo. Steve Cave, About.com: Skateboarding Set up a few blessed objects or a small altar when moving into a new space. Making an area with a spiritual focus is like carrying an ember to start a new fire. Verbally say hello to the new space and offer peaceful greetings to the energies that are present. Rae Schwarz, Pagan Magazine
Templates for Explaining Quotations Basically, X is saying _____________. In other words, X believes __________. In making this comment, X argues that ___________. X is insisting that ____________. X s point is that _______________. The essence of X s argument is _____.
The goal: In framing quotations, the writer creates a kind of hybrid text, a mix of the original author s words with his or her words.
The meat of the sandwich: THE QUOTATION Uses vivid, interesting language Represents accurately the original writer s point Clearly relates to the new writer s point Is cited appropriately
CITING QUOTATIONS: A Mini Lesson From Diana Hacker s A Writer s Reference. 6th edition
Citing Quotations Introduce the source by a signal phrase that names the author. The material cited is followed by a page number in parentheses. At the end of the paper, a list of works cited (listed alphabetically by author s last name) provides complete publication information.
Use Fragments Pull the precise language fragments from a text that most clearly and effectively represent the writer s point.
Using Fragments: An Example The author argues that children are victims of intimate terrorism with no collective voice and no rights. As the property of parenting adults they are without legal recourse (2).
Use Ellipses Ellipses allows writers to focus tightly on the language from the quoted text that will help them make their points.
EXAMPLE: In her story of the party, Bell Hooks admits that she wanted the others to understand that being physically hurt or abused has harmful consequences in our adult life (2).
Using Brackets Writers use brackets [ ] in quoted material to fit the grammar of the original into a new sentence.
Using Brackets Original They will cling to the misguided assumption that their parents love them With brackets A child cling[s] to the misguided assumption that [her] parents love [her] (4).
They Say: Putting It All Together Summarize basic argument or points in a text Paraphrase as necessary to clarify dense, detail-important text Identify best representative quote(s) Use quotation strategies (fragments, ellipses, brackets) to shorten quotes Frame quotes with introduction & commentary ( in other words )
In her essay, Justice: Childhood Love Lessons, writer Bell Hooks asserts that it is in childhood where we learn our lifelong lessons about what it means to give and receive love. Regardless of the type of family, she argues, happy or troubled ... functional or dysfunctional, [the family is] the original school of love. In other words, our operational definition of love is modeled, taught and reinforced in our childhood homes.
