How To Cite Textual Evidence

How To Cite Textual Evidence

There are 3 main ways to cite information: 1. Quoting 2. Paraphrasing 3. Summarizing

Rules for Using Quotes Always prepare your reader for the quote. 1. A quotation should never suddenly appear out of nowhere. Make sure the quotation builds off of or proves what was said in the sentence immediately before it.

For example: ORIGINAL: The shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain and she saw the river through the trees. SMOOTHLY INTEGRATED QUOTATION: Hemingway uses the image of a momentary darkness to suggest the woman's growing disillusionment. After her quarrel with the man, "[t]he shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain . . ." (21).

Rules for Using Quotes 2. Follow up your quotation! Avoid ending a paragraph with a quote– it’s your paper, end with something that YOU have to say. The sentence AFTER a quote should always comment on the significance of the quote itself.

For example: ORIGINAL: The shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain and she saw the river through the trees. SMOOTHLY INTEGRATED QUOTATION: Hemingway uses the image of a momentary darkness to suggest the woman's growing disillusionment. After her quarrel with the man, "[t]he shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain . . ." (21). A similar shadow gradually develops over their relationship.

Rules for Using Quotes 3. Integrate the quote INTO your text. Use your own words to introduce a quotation. Usually, you will want to transition by using the author’s name. Read it out loud. If it sounds too sudden and abrupt, you need an effective transition.

For example: THIS: Hemingway uses the image of a momentary darkness to suggest the woman's growing disillusionment. After her quarrel with the man, "[t]he shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain . . ." (21). A similar shadow gradually develops over their relationship. NOT: The image of a momentary darkness suggests the woman's growing disillusionment. “The shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain . . ." (21). A similar shadow gradually develops over their relationship.

Rules for Using Quotes 4. Maintain a smooth sentence style. Use only the most effective part of the quote. Usually, you will want to transition by using the author’s name.

For example: THIS: The narrator asks if anyone could imagine her "looking a strange white man in the eye" (232). NOT: The narrator says, "Who can even imagine me looking a strange white man in the eye?" (232).

Rules for Using Quotes 5. Sometimes, you need to leave a part out of the quotation. If the quote does not end when you want it to, use ellipses to show that this is not where the author ended. .

For example: ORIGINAL: The shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain and she saw the river through the trees. SMOOTHLY INTEGRATED QUOTATION: Hemingway uses the image of a momentary darkness to suggest the woman's growing disillusionment. After her quarrel with the man, "[t]he shadow of a cloud moved across the field of grain . . ." (21). A similar shadow gradually develops over their relationship.

Rules for Using Quotes 6. To increase sentence fluency, you may need to change or add words in a quotation. This is when you use brackets. [word]

For example: ORIGINAL: "You don't have to call me by it if you don't want to," said Wangero. SOMEWHAT SMOOTHLY INTEGRATED QUOTATION: The new and supposedly improved Dee tells her mother that she doesn't "'have to call [Dee] by [her new name] if [she doesn't] want to'" (234).

Rules for Using Quotes 7. Avoid OVER quoting. Only quote when absolutely needed. The vast majority of your paper should be YOUR paper, not what someone else has said. Please see me if you think you have been quoting too much. In general, keep it below 15% on Turnitin.com

Quotes, continued Quotes should be used when the author has said something SO remarkable that it simply cannot be altered. When the words the author uses are not as important as the ideas, you should paraphrase. For paraphrasing methods/tips, see the Purdue OWL handout provided in class.

Works Cited Boyd, L. "Using Quotations in Your Essay." 9 December 1999. The Literary Link. 7 July 2010 http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/patten/usingquotes.html .

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