Marking Quotes: The link between quoting and citation
Citation is the practice of showing where material originated. This guide emphasizes citation for quoted material, which is related to plagiarism. However, this guide also discusses other reasons to cite, such as: showing the source of an idea, the source of an image or table, or the evidence of an asserted fact.
Quoting is the use of words you have not originated in the present use. You are quoting when you use the words. To do so correctly you must acknowledge their prior origination, by marking and citing. Quoting is linked to many (but not all) forms of citation discussed in this guide.
To correctly quote (not plagiarize) in written material, you must mark the quote and cite its source. If you fail to mark the quote, then the user is uncertain how much of the cited material is quoted or even if the citation reflects quotation or some other purpose. There are two basic forms of marking quotes in English:
Double inverted commas are also used by expert users of English to mention, rather than use, a word. When you mention a word, you place it in a sentence to convey something about the word itself, not use its meaning. This form of quote-marking is commonly misused as a form of emphasis or identifying rather than mention. If the sentence relies on the meaning of the word rather than the fact that the word exists, it is most likely use so you should not enclose it in double inverted commas, nor should you substitute single inverted commas. When in doubt, don't do it.
Whenever you mark a quote, you should identify a source. In most cases the source is provided as a citation. When you report first hand communication with a source, you typically identify the source in your text.
Quoting is the use of words you have not originated in the present use. You are quoting when you use the words. To do so correctly you must acknowledge their prior origination, by marking and citing. Quoting is linked to many (but not all) forms of citation discussed in this guide.
To correctly quote (not plagiarize) in written material, you must mark the quote and cite its source. If you fail to mark the quote, then the user is uncertain how much of the cited material is quoted or even if the citation reflects quotation or some other purpose. There are two basic forms of marking quotes in English:
- Marking the entire quote with a double inverted commas, also called quote marks. This is the standard form of a quote mark. If you are otherwise uncertain, use double inverted commas.
- Marking the entire quote by closing up and setting off.
- This means using single spacing, even when you are otherwise double spacing, and indenting.
- Different style guides may give different advice about exactly when to mark by closing up and setting off, APA advises this form when your quote is six lines or longer.
- When you close up and set off, it is unnecessary and incorrect to also use double inverted comma quote marks.
- Invent your own mark.
- Use single inverted commas instead of double inverted commas:
- Single inverted commas are used exclusively to mark quotes that are nested within a marked quote. This is how they should be used and the only way they should be used.
- When writing in English, use marks that are common in another language.
Double inverted commas are also used by expert users of English to mention, rather than use, a word. When you mention a word, you place it in a sentence to convey something about the word itself, not use its meaning. This form of quote-marking is commonly misused as a form of emphasis or identifying rather than mention. If the sentence relies on the meaning of the word rather than the fact that the word exists, it is most likely use so you should not enclose it in double inverted commas, nor should you substitute single inverted commas. When in doubt, don't do it.
Whenever you mark a quote, you should identify a source. In most cases the source is provided as a citation. When you report first hand communication with a source, you typically identify the source in your text.
Continue to: Using Graphics First Appearing Elsewhere