Research Notes #3: Quoting to Use sources Mr. Eble CP2 Senior English

Quoting What is quoting? Using a writer’s exact words to make a point / support a claim that will make a strong impression on a reader. How do I quote? Choose a quote that is of particular importance. Copy the original words and punctuation exactly. THEN, ACE the quote.

ATTRIBUTE Attribute: Tell the name of the speaker / organization and that person’s credentials; use a signal phrase, like “According to…” or “… says…” Only provide the credentials / background of the speaker the first time you use the person’s quote in your writing.

Attribution in Quoting Strong attribution verbs: Use verbs like these to attribute your quote. acknowledges adds admits affirms agrees answers argues asks asserts attacks believes calls claims comments compares concedes confirms contends counters counterattacks declares defines denies disputes echoes emphasizes endorses estimates finds grants illustrates implies insinuates insists labels mentions notes observes points out predicts proposes reasons recognizes recommends refutes rejects reports responds retorts reveals says speculates states suggests surmises tells thinks warns writes

CITE Cite: Put quotation marks around the quote, then give the author’s last name and page number in parentheses after the quote. You should always put what comes first in the Works Cited page in parentheses.

EXPLAIN Explain: Show the importance of the quote by connecting it to your argument. You should explain the quote if you need to put it in your own words. Otherwise, show how the quote demonstrates / supports the point you’re making.

Example: Quoting Example: Important quote from the original text: Important Quote ACE’d: Desmond Morris, author of Manwatching, claims that people who “come from the Mediterranean region…find that [they] are much closer to [their] companion[s]…at little more than ‘elbow distance’” (Morris 131). This cultural difference explains why many Americans are often uncomfortable with personal space when visiting the region.

Example from Gehrig’s Speech In his speech to his fans, Yankee great Lou Gehrig praises his fans, saying, “I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans” (Gehrig). Here, he appeals to pathos because he speaks directly to his audience and demonstrates his gratitude to them. This created a sense of connection between Gehrig and his adoring fans.

Always remember: Use reputable sources. Always attribute, cite, explain. When in doubt, play it safe: Cite! Plagiarism can be (and is often) unintentional. Don’t forget to cite an author for his/her work. Finally, never try to present someone else’s ideas as your own.