Quotations are a wonderful addition to any paper, but they should be used skillfully. Poor quotation use can distract the reader or even slow the reader down as she reads.

REMEMBER: Our goal is to communicate well. Quotations can help us

communicate with our readers, but they can also hurt our ability to communicate if we don’t

incorporate them naturally.

Direct quotes reproduce the author’s words exactly.

Adding emphasis

Adding interest

Adding evidence

EXAMPLE 1: Carmen Electra said: “Death would be a beautiful place if it looks like Brad Pitt” (23).

EXAMPLE 2: According to Lynn Johnston, “complaining is good for you as long as you’re not complaining to the person you’re complaining about” (qtd in quotationspage).

Attributive tagAttributive tag

Attributive tag

Attributive tag

Too many direct quotes: Take attention away from your

message.

Slow the reader down.

BORE the reader (and then your message is lost).

Remember: Your goal as a writer is to smoothly lead your reader through your ideas.

Here’s an unnatural direct quote:

Be true to yourself and your ideals. You have to follow your heart. “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody” (Cosby 1).

Notice the way the quote isn’t introduced. Instead, it just hangs in midair without context. A reader, surprised by this sudden quote, would certainly pause momentarily.

1. Weave the quote into your own words.Bill Cosby doesn’t know the secret to success, but says that “the key to failure is trying to please everyone” (Cosby 11).

2. Use “attributive tags” (HCH p. 554)According to Bill Cosby, “the key to failure is trying to please everyone” (Cosby 11).

The following phrases help your reader understand that you’re quoting someone. These phrases are called “attributive tags.”

See pg. 554 in your

handbook

90% of quote usage should be summarized or paraphrased.

If you DO use a direct quote, it should sound natural.

EXAMPLE: Mara indicates that “fiction . . . is superior to film” (Mara 234).

EXAMPLE:According to Mara, “fiction [both modern and classic] is superior to film” (Mara 234).

EXAMPLE:It’s important to use a good quality oil in your new car. According to Auto Digest, you should avoid the cheap stuff:

Our research indicates that high-quality motor oils, such as Royal Purple, help extend the life of

the average engine by as much as three years. (Coe 23) Three years is a lot when you think of the potential savings. NOTICE: No quotation marks

are used & the citation appears after the period.

Are great for that crucial chunk of research you just HAVE to include

Are often used by students trying to get a certain page length

BUT . . .Use them sparingly!!

Using any random book you have lying around, show me you know how to how to construct the following:

1. Show me you know how to use a direct quote. Choose any passage from any book and show me how you would construct a direct quote. See the previous slides if you need help.

2. Show me you know how to use a block quote. Choose any passage from any book and show me how you would construct a block quote. Your example should look just like the sample on HCH pg. 608 or like the sample in this presentation.

3. Show me you can summarize or paraphrase information. Choose any passage from any book and show me how you would summarize that information. See the previous slides if you need help. Quick Check: Are you

citing?