Using Quotations

Some tips about using quotes:

Quotations must be integrated in a paper so that there is coherence and the sentences flow in a logical manner.
Quotations should not be overused. If more than a quarter of your paper is direct quotation, you have probably overdone it.
When using direct quotes, make sure that they reflect the source’s meaning and are reproduced accurately.
Select quotations that support your thesis.
Use a quotation only if its language is particularly appropriate or distinctive or its idea is particularly hard to paraphrase accurately.

The examples below are repeated in both APA and MLA styles. Although the principles of quoting remain the same, remember to use the citation style that fits your discipline and/or assignment. For more about APA and MLA, see the Writing Resources page.

Examples:

Incoherent (Does not make grammatical sense):

APA:

Sommer (1992) says personal space for people, "like the porcupines in Schopenhauer’s fable, people like to be close enough to obtain warmth and comradeship but far enough away to avoid pricking one another" (p. 26).

MLA:

Sommer says personal space for people, "like the porcupines in Schopenhauer’s fable, people like to be close enough to obtain warmth and comradeship but far enough away to avoid pricking one another" (26).

Coherent (Makes sense -- easy to read):

APA:

Sommer (1992) says people, "like the porcupines in Schopenhauer’s fable, . . . like to be close enough to obtain warmth and comradeship but far enough away to avoid pricking one another" (p. 26).

MLA:

Sommer says people, "like the porcupines in Schopenhauer’s fable, . . . like to be close enough to obtain warmth and comradeship but far enough away to avoid pricking one another" (26).

Sentences with integrated quotes should be easy to read as well as grammatically correct. The following are examples of integrating author names, year of publication, and source titles in an effective manner.

Source

APA:

Binkley, S. (1990). The clockwork sparrow: Time, clocks, and calendars in biological organisms. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice.

MLA:

Binkley, Susan. The Clockwork Sparrow: Time, Clocks, and Calendars in Biological Organisms.Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice, 1990.

Original Material

Artificial lighting, jet travel, and space exploration permit sudden disruptions of natural temporal sequences. [These are Binkley’s words from page 4 of The Clockwork Sparrow.]

Integrating author’s name and year of publication within the quotation:

APA:

Sue Binkley (1990) explains that "artificial lighting, jet travel, and space exploration permit sudden disruptions of natural temporal sequences" (p. 4).

MLA:

Sue Binkley explains that "artificial lighting, jet travel, and space exploration permit sudden disruptions of natural temporal sequences" (4).

Integrating author’s name, year, and title of source within the quotation:

APA:

Sue Binkley (1990) explains in The Clockwork Sparrow that "artificial lighting, jet travel, and space exploration permit sudden disruptions of natural temporal sequences" (p. 4).

MLA:

Sue Binkley explains in The Clockwork Sparrow that "artificial lighting, jet travel, and space exploration permit sudden disruptions of natural temporal sequences" (4).

Using Paraphrases

Paraphrasing is taking the author’s words or ideas and restating them in your own words. Not only is paraphrasing the best way of delivering research information that is not very distinguished or "quotable," it is an excellent method of understanding complex material. Some suggestions for writing accurate paraphrases are:

1. Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning.

2. Set the original aside and write your paraphrase.

3. Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the piece of paper or note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the subject of your paraphrase.

4. Check your rendition with the original to make sure that your version accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form.

5. Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source.

6. Record the source (including the page) on your note card or in your notes so that you can credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper.

The examples below are repeated in both APA and MLA styles. Although the principles of paraphrasing remain the same, remember to use the citation style that fits your discipline/assignment. For more about APA and MLA, see the Writing Resources page.

Examples:

Source

APA:

Davis, C. (1984). Eloquent animals. Chicago: U of Chicago P.

MLA:

Davis, Carl. Eloquent Animals. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984.

Original text:

If the existence of a signing ape was usettling for linguists, it was also startling news for animal behaviorists.

Unacceptable borrowing of phrases:

The existence of a signing ape unsettled linguists and startled animal behaviorists (Davis, 1984).

Unacceptable borrowing of structure:

If the presence of a sing-language-using chimp was disturbing for scientists studying language, it was also surprising to scientists studying animal behavior (Davis, 1984).

Acceptable paraphrases:

APA:

When they learned of an ape’s ability to use sign language, both linguists and animal behaviorists were taken by surprise (Davis, 1984).

According to Charles Davis, linguists and animal behaviorists were unprepared for the news that a chimp could communicate with its trainers through sign language (1984).

MLA:

When they learned of an ape’s ability to use sign language, both linguists and animal behaviorists were taken by surprise (Davis 28).

According to Charles Davis, linguists and animal behaviorists were unprepared for the news that a chimp could communicate with its trainers through sign language (28).

References

Hacker, D. (3^rd ed.). (1995). A writer’s reference. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press.

Troyka, L.Q. (2^nd ed.). (1998). Quick access. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.