Using quotations can be an effective use of evidence in an essay. Quotes can lend support and authority to a claim or argument. However, quotes should be used sparingly in an academic essay. Instructors are looking for the writer’s individual thoughts and ideas. Overuse of quotes can overshadow the writer’s individual ideas.
Review the sections below to learn more about using direct and indirect quotations.
Direct quotation should be reserved for passages in the source material that add something to your essay that cannot be accomplished in other ways.
Check the style sheet or assignment instructions for specific rules for formatting a direct quote. However, the general formatting a direct quote are listed below:
Ex. “His painting depicts a solitary figure, also presented in profile, appearing to be frozen in time.” (Leavy 345).
Ex. I was transfixed by the stark presence of the man on the hill, but what struck me most powerfully was his posture. His torso was almost bent at a right angle, beginning in the middle of his upper back. I had a strong reaction to the sight of him, as though I was looking at a fresh wound. I thought he might be homeless, in pain or ill, but I walked past him without saying a word. I remember pretending not to notice and telling myself that I didn’t want to embarrass him. (Leavy 344).
Summaries and paraphrases of another author’s ideas can be introduced with phrases such as:
Summaries and paraphrases should not be constructed by simply substituting different words for, or changing the order of, the words that are used in your source. You should be able to identify important aspects of the author’s ideas and put them in your own words. One of the best ways to move away from the author’s wording is to move away from the source that you're referring to and trying to write down what their argument is in your own words. You can always change this if you did not succeed completely on your first try.
Indirect quotations do not require quotation marks, but their origin must be acknowledged with appropriate citations. Citation is important in order to avoid giving the mistaken impression that the ideas discussed are yours and that you thought of them with no help from the outside source. This is normally considered cheating in an academic context.