Some Exhortations on Using Quotations

1. Think about why you want to make quotations:

   Quote an author's words directly if you can't paraphrase those words adequately.

   Use direct quotations if you need to call attention to the way something is said.

   Use quotations if the quotations help to clarify something, further an argument.

2. Think about why you don't want to make quotations:

   Don't quote what you can say better yourself.

   Don't quote if what you're quoting is common knowledge. (Unless you're quoting just to show you've done the work and want credit for it.)

   Don't let someone else make a point you can make better yourself.

   Don't quote people simply to show that other people agree with you.

3. Think about how you make quotations:

   • Never let your quotations float by themselves.
   • Explain your quotations.
   • Don't run quotations back-to-back unless you have to.
   • Never string quotations together for very long.
   • Be careful about quoting "Webster" and sharp minds you find in books of famous quotations.

4. Think about keeping simple, direct, and reasonable:

   • Paraphrase (put quotations in your own words) as much as you can. Quote only essential ideas, thoughts--things you can't paraphrase.
   • Document your paraphrases. (You are responsible for documenting other people's ideas even if you don't quote them directly.)
   • Be accurate.
   • Be fair. (Be especially careful of ellipses.)

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