Quoting Academic Writing in English

American Psychological Association (APA) Short quote – 40 words or less = incorporate it into the text. Long quote – 40 words + = freestanding block of typewritten text and omit the question marks. Taken from: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2001) 5th edition, APA: Washington, DC.

Example 1 – APA style guide, 5th edition pg.118 She stated, ”The ’placebo effect’…disappeared when behaviors were studied in theis manner”(Miele, 1993, p.276), but she did not clarify which behaviours were studied.

Example 2 – ibid. Miele (1993) found that ”the ’placebo effect,’ which had been verified in previous studies, disappeared when [only the first group’s] behaviors were studied in this manner” (p. 276).

Example 3 - ibid Miele (1993) found the following: The ”placebo effect,” which had been verified in previous studies, disappeared when behaviours were studied in this manner. Furthermore, the behaviors were never exhibited again [italics added], even when reel [sic] drugs were administered. Earlier studies (e.g., Abdullah, 1984; Fox, 1979) were clearly premature in attributing the results to a placebo effect. (p. 279)

Other reference styles Vancouver, Chicago = shares the same views on direct quotes as APA No information from IEEE

When should I quote? According to the University of Wisconsin Madison Writing Centre, quoting should be done in research papers when: to show that an authority supports your point to present a position or argument to critique or comment on to include especially moving or historically significant language to present a particularly well-stated passage whose meaning would be lost or changed if paraphrased or summarized (

What about common knowledge? no cut and dry boundaries but some guidelines: It should be uncited/unreferenced in at least 5 sources (OWL Purdue) It should be common to many people (ubiquitous information) (Cal State U) It comes from a common reference source (non-specialist dictionary or encyclopedia

Common knowledge con’t at best it’s a loose rule arguable and dangerous good rule of thumb - if you’re classmates don’t know about it, then reference it. when in doubt, reference!

Websites for more info oavoid/how_avoid_direct.htm# oavoid/how_avoid_direct.htm# know.htmlhttp:// know.html plagiarism.htmlhttp://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_ plagiarism.html

Recapitulation 1/2 Summary main ideas, no details own words no interpretation needs a reference Paraphrasing parts of a text, including details own words no interpretation needs a reference

Recapitulation 2/2 Quoting word-for-word short quote needs “” long quote needs block citation style reasons for using it are mainly to add strength and support to your argument Needs a reference including a page number Common knowledge loose concept quantity and commonness of concept key when in doubt, reference!