How to Cite a Quote

Quoting means copying a part of someone else's writing and giving them credit.

To quote correctly, put the quoted text in quotation marks or use a block quote style. Make sure to mention the original author and reproduce the text exactly as it is.

The way you format a quote depends on its length and the citation style you're using, like APA or MLA.

Quoting and citing correctly is crucial to avoid plagiarism. Adhering to these guidelines enables writers to maintain honesty about their source of information, providing due credit to the individuals who originated the ideas.

This not only maintains the academic integrity but also acknowledges the work of others.

How to Cite a Quote Example

Different scenarios require distinct citation approaches. Let's explore various quoting situations:

Introducing Quotes

Incorporating quotes seamlessly enhances the flow of your writing and adds credibility to your arguments.

Example: According to Smith (2002), "successful leaders inspire others to dream more."

Here's how to introduce a quote effectively:

Introductory Sentence

Begin with a sentence that sets the context for the quote. This sentence should provide a smooth transition from your own words to the quoted material.

Example: Leadership theories often emphasize the impact of inspiration on a team's success.

Introductory Signal Phrase

Introduce the quote with a signal phrase that attributes it to the original author. This not only gives credit but also establishes the authority of the source.

Example: According to Smith,

Integrated into Your Own Sentence

Ensure that the quote is seamlessly integrated into the structure of your sentence. It should read cohesively, as if it's a natural extension of your own thoughts.

Example:

Original quote: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Integrated into a sentence: In facing challenges, it's crucial to remember Franklin D. Roosevelt's timeless advice that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself," highlighting the importance of overcoming apprehension to achieve success.

Quotes within Quotes

When quoting text that contains another quote, known as a nested quotation or a quote within a quote, it's crucial to maintain clarity. This situation often arises when quoting dialogue from a novel.

To distinguish the nested quote, enclose it in single quotation marks instead of double ones, even if it requires changing the punctuation from the original text. It's important to close both sets of quotation marks at the appropriate moments.

If you're only quoting the nested text without including the surrounding text, you can use double quotation marks as usual.

Here is an example to illustrate nested quotations:

Original Text: As the protagonist exclaimed, “I can't believe this is happening!” the tension in the room intensified.

If quoting only the nested text:

He told us, "I can't believe this is happening!"

If quoting the entire sentence, including the nested text:

In the novel, the author vividly describes the scene, stating, "As the protagonist exclaimed, 'I can't believe this is happening!' the tension in the room intensified."

Shortening or Altering a Quote

Sometimes, when you put a quote into your writing, you might need to change it a bit to fit better. It is acceptable as long as you clearly mention the changes made to the quote.

Shortening a Quote

When shortening a quote, it involves omitting part of the original text to condense or focus on a specific segment. It's crucial to maintain the intended meaning while providing a concise version.

Example: The original text states, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," but is often quoted as "The journey begins with a single step."

In the given example, the shortened quote retains the essence of the original, emphasizing the starting point of a journey without including the entire phrase.

Altering a Quote

Altering a quote involves changing the tense or person to suit the context or incorporate it into your own sentence. It's essential to ensure that any changes made maintain the integrity and context of the original statement.

Example: Changing "He said, 'I will come tomorrow'" to "He said that he would come the next day."

In the provided example, the original quote in direct speech is transformed into an indirect quote.

Block Quotes

Block quotes are used when you want to quote a substantial amount of text, typically exceeding four lines in most citation styles. Instead of incorporating the quote into the main body of your text, you set it apart in a separate block.

Example:

In her influential work on leadership, Brown emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence:

"Effective leaders not only manage tasks but also understand and connect with their team members on an emotional level. This emotional intelligence fosters a positive and productive work environment." (Brown, 87)

How to Cite a Quote in Different Citation Styles

Citing quotes correctly is crucial in research papers, and different citation styles have specific rules for how quotes should be formatted. Here's a guide on citing quotes in three commonly used styles.

Citing a Quote in APA 7th Style

For APA (American Psychological Association) style, place punctuation marks like periods and commas after the citation, not within the quotation marks.

Parenthetical Citation: For parenthetical citation, place all information within parentheses after the quote.

Example: "Effective communication is the key to building strong teams" (Smith, 2020, p. 78).

Narrative Citation: For narrative citation, include the author's name in your sentence, followed by the year, and place the page number after the quote.

Example: In her study, Brown (2018) found that "positive feedback enhances employee motivation" (p. 112).

Expert Tip

Explore our blog on "How to Cite Direct Quotes in APA Style" for deeper understanding of citing a direct quote in APA style!

How to Cite a Quote in MLA Format

For MLA (Modern Language Association) style, use the author's last name and page number in parentheses after the quote.

Example: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" (Smith 23).

How to Cite a Quote - Harvard

For Harvard referencing style, include the author's name and year of publication in parentheses after the quote.

Example: According to Brown (2020), "Effective leadership requires adaptability."

Take Your Writing to the Next Level with PerfectEssayWriter.ai

Ready to elevate your citation game? Try PerfectEssayWriter.ai's online citation generator now!

Effortlessly cite your sources and ensure your work is polished and professional. Try it out to streamline your citations and enhance the quality of your writing!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Cite a Quote in an Essay?

To cite a quote in an essay, include the author's last name, publication year, and page number in parentheses after the quote (APA). For MLA, use the author's last name and page number. Always follow the specific citation style guidelines.

WRITTEN BY

Cathy Aranda (Mass communication)

Cathy is a highly dedicated author who has been writing for the platform for over five years. With a Master's degree in Mass Communication, she is well-versed in various forms of writing such as articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As an essay writing guide author at PerfectEssayWriter.ai, she has been helping students and professionals improve their writing skills by offering practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style.

On This Page On This Page