Embedding Quotes in Your Paper

Embedding quotes in your paper

Important things to note when using quotes to support your claims

1. Never refer to the author by his or her first name. Also, never refer to an author by his or her last name unless you have first established the author’s identity by using his or her first and last name earlier in your paper.

2. Cite where you found the quote, called a parenthetical citation. The first time you cite, you must put the author’s last name unless you used it to introduce the quote. For further quotes from the same source, just put the page number. Put a period after the parenthesis.

3. Long wordy quotes usually do not help your argument. Selectively use what will support your argument which could be a word, phrase, or one sentence.

4. If you must use a long quote and it runs more than four typed lines, begin the quote on a new line, indent, and introduce with a colon. Do not add quotation marks, and the period comes before the parenthesis. See my example:

Hercules was the strongest man on earth and he had the supreme self- confidence magnificent physical strength gives. He considered himself on an equality with the gods—and with some reason. They needed his help to conquer the Giants. (Hamilton 160)

5. If you omit words from your quotation, use an ellipse. Also, if you add your own text to a quote, use brackets. See the example:

Hamilton writes that Hercules was “born in Thebes…[known as] the son of Amphitryon” (161).

6. Use present tense. Notice I did not use stated or argued in my examples.

Examples for introducing quotations

1. Edith Hamilton states, “ ____________” (55).

2. According to Hamilton, “___________.” (45).

3. In her book, Mythology, Edith Hamilton maintains that “__________” (59).

4. In Hamilton’s view, “_____________” (39).

5. Hamilton argues that, “_______” (39).

Examples for including commentary on your quote

1. Hamilton’s claim that ____________ assumes that ________.

2. Hamilton emphasizes _________.

3. Hamilton’s points out ________ because _________.

4. Hamilton provides ample evidence that _________ is _________.

5. Although Hamilton’s claims support _________, it can also be said that ______.

You may use the examples above, but they are only a few simple examples. The most effective way to introduce quotes and include commentary would require that you tailor your introductions and commentary to fit the topic and purpose of your paper.