Citations The fun part of writing
A common mistake when using quotes is that most students will use them to fill a requirement and not to strengthen their point.
Points to remember: A quote should not be its own sentence. The quote should flow with your thoughts and should usually not act as a transition from paragraph to paragraph. The citation should include the author’s last name, page number. There should be an explanation after the quote that explains how the quote supports your point.
Bad Example In Oedipus, Jocasta said that Oedipus should not fear anything. “What should a man fear? It’s all chance, chance rules our lives. Not a man on earth can see a day ahead, groping through the dark.” (Oedipus)This quote shows that Jocasta believes that Oedipus should not fear anything.
Better Example Throughout the play, Oedipus was fearful over circumstances that he could not control. Even Jocasta understood that, “it’s all chance, chance rules our lives. Not a man on earth can see a day ahead, groping through the dark” (Sophocles 303). However, despite these words of wisdom from his loving wife, Oedipus continued to act irrationally, ignoring advice from those around him.
Long Quotes…What do I do? Long quotes (quotes that take up at least 4 lines of the paper) are separated from the text by indenting them 10 spaces. Long quotes are also single-spaced. Periods are placed before the parenthesis with long quotes.
Long Quote Example Oedipus was shocked to discover that, he'll be revealed a brother and a father to his children in his house, husband and son to her who gave him birth; wife-sharer and the killer of his father. (Sophocles 473)
What’s in the Parenthesis? (Part A Part B) Part A Author’s Last Name Title of Piece, use quotes if it is an article, poem, or short story; underline if it is a book. Abbreviate if it is longer than 4 words Name of Publisher or Website host. Part B Page number as long as it’s not a website. 2. Copyright/publish date 3. The date you found the information.
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