Article: The concept of using a quotation may seem like the opposite of "writing in your own words." However, learning to use a quote the correct way is an essential writing skill. First, you must understand when to use a direct quotation. Use a direct quotation in order to: Argue against another author's specific idea Continue another author's specific idea Prove your own point with the help of another author Add eloquence or power with a very meaningful quote A quote should never appear all by itself. Instead, you need to place the quote into the context of your essay. Write a sentence or two that leads up to the quotation, demonstrating the need for this particular voice. Be sure to provide the reader with any information they may need to understand this particular quote. The first time you bring a writer's words into your own text, introduce the quote with a "signal phrase." This should always include the name of the person (or persons) who wrote the words, as well as the full title of the work from which the quote is taken. Here are two examples: In his book End of Humanism, Richard Schechner states, "I prefer to work from primary sources: what I've done, what I've seen" (15). As Dixon and Foster explain in their book Experimental Cinema, "filmmakers assumed that the audience for their films was to be an intimate group of knowledgeable cineastes" (225). The proper way to format both your quote and the citation for your quote will depend on the style-guide you are following (MLA, APA, AP, or Chicago style). The specific rules of block-quoting, citation, and even the placement of the quotation marks will be determined by the style guide you use. (The citations provided above are done in MLA format). In general, your quote should not exceed 3-4 lines of text. If it does (and it is truly necessary), you will need to use block quote formatting. At the end of the quote, include any relevant data that you have not already stated, such as the name of the author, the page number, and/or the date of publication. No matter what style guide you choose, you must always cite the author you quote. This is a crucial step and must never be skipped. Anytime you use the exact phrasing of an author, you must place this phrase in quotation marks and include the name of the author. Forgetting this step is unethical. It also puts you at risk for plagiarism. If there is no specific author, then use the editor instead, or whatever your specific style-guide requires.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Decide that a quote is needed. Contextualize the quotation. Introduce the quote. Check your format. Cite the author.