How To Cite Quotes In Essay: A Concise, Student-Friendly Guide

Citations and quotations are an excellent way to showcase the scope of one’s research and the extent of one’s knowledge. Excerpts and quotes from different information sources enhance the quality and credibility of any content. At the same time, citations and quotations help evaluators understand a writer’s initiative and dedication toward her/his work.

Whether you are writing a book, a research paper, or any academic task, knowing how to cite a quote is essential, especially when you are using a lot of secondary information sources. Books, journal articles, magazine articles, websites, e-books, published white papers, etc. – every authority of reference needs to be cited in a particular format. And, these formats vary from one citation style.

How to Quote in an Essay?

When quoting in an essay, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

1. Use quotation marks to indicate the beginning and end of the quoted material.
2. Use an appropriate citation style to acknowledge the source of the quote. The most common citation styles are MLA, APA, and Chicago, so be sure to consult the style guide that your professor or institution requires.
3. Include the author’s name and page number(s) in your citation, if applicable.
4. Be sure to use ellipses (…) or brackets ([ ]) to indicate any omissions or alterations you have made to the original text.

Here is an example of how to quote in an essay using MLA citation style:

Original Text: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs

In-Text Citation: According to Steve Jobs, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do” (Jobs).

Alternatively, if you are quoting from a specific page in a book:

Original Text: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs (p. 27)

In-Text Citation: According to Jobs, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do” (27).

Remember, it’s important to integrate quotes smoothly into your essay and to use them to support your own ideas and arguments, rather than relying on them to do the work for you.

What are the Rules for Using Quotes in Essays?

When using quotes in essays, there are certain rules that should be followed to ensure proper usage and avoid plagiarism. Here are some of the main rules:

1. Use quotation marks to indicate direct quotes: Whenever you are directly quoting someone else’s words, you should put them in quotation marks. This lets your readers know that the words are not your own.
2. Use ellipses to indicate omissions: If you are quoting a passage but leaving out some words, use an ellipsis to indicate the omission. For example: “The man said, ‘I’m not sure if I can…make it to the meeting on time.'”
3. Use brackets to indicate additions or changes: If you need to add or change a word or phrase within a quote to make it fit into your sentence or to clarify something, use brackets to indicate the addition or change. For example: “The man said, ‘I’m not sure if I can [drive] to the meeting on time.'”
4. Introduce the quote: You should always introduce a quote by providing some context and explaining how it supports your argument. Don’t just drop a quote into your essay without any explanation.
5. Cite the source: Whenever you use a quote, you should also provide a citation for the source, either in-text or in a bibliography or reference list. This allows your readers to find the original source if they want to read more or verify your information.
6. Use block quotes for longer passages: If the quote is longer than three or four lines, you should use a block quote. This means indenting the quote and using a smaller font size.
7. Use quotes sparingly: While quotes can be useful for supporting your arguments, you should use them sparingly and only when they add value to your essay. Your own words should always be the focus of your writing.

Overall, when using quotes in essays, it’s important to be accurate, clear, and ethical. Always give credit where credit is due, and use quotes strategically to make your arguments more persuasive and compelling.

Know How Many Quotes To Use In An Essay?

The number of quotes to use in an essay will depend on several factors, including the length of the essay, the purpose of the essay, and the type of writing style being used.

In general, it is recommended to use quotes sparingly and strategically in an essay. While quotes can add credibility and support to your arguments, too many quotes can make your essay appear unoriginal and lacking in original thought.

As a general guideline, it is often recommended to use no more than one or two quotes per paragraph in an essay and to use those quotes to support your own ideas and arguments rather than relying solely on quotes to make your points.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that any quotes you use are relevant to the topic at hand and that they are properly cited according to the guidelines of the style guide being used (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.).

Ultimately, the number of quotes you use in your essay will depend on the specific requirements and expectations of the assignment, as well as your own writing style and approach.

A Concise Guide on How To Cite Quotes In APA & MLA

Writing a comprehensive guide on all existing citation styles is a humongous endeavor and beyond the scope of this write-up. Instead, it will focus on two of the most popular citation styles in academics, namely, APA, & MLA.

So let us begin by finding out how to cite a quote in APA.

How To Cite Any Quotation In The APA 7^th Edition

The APA (American Psychological Association) is a source citation style used primarily in scholarly articles and books.  The APA format enjoys substantial popularity amongst scholars in social and behavioral sciences.  The citation style finds usage in scientific journals, textbooks and academia around the world. The idea behind the design of the citation style is to help readers comprehend content with better clarity and reduce bias in the language used.

The APA citation style is currently in its 7^th edition.

Direct quotations are used to reproduce words as is or verbatim from a source. It is better to paraphrase rather than quote directly. But, quotations are more suitable when

• You need to reproduce an exact definition as is;
• The writer has succinctly stated something memorable;
• You have to respond directly to someone’s statements or claims;

Here is how to cite a quote from a person or a book in the APA style.

Short Quotations -> For quotations of less than 40 words, add the quotation marks around the quoted words and add it or incorporate it in your own written text. There is no need to add an ellipsis unless the source includes one.

In case of direct quotation, make sure to add a full citation as that of the quote. Do not forget to include the page number or any other information that might help the reader locate the reference.

1. Add a citation within parenthesis right after the quotation or at the end of the sentence containing the reference.
2. In case of a narrative quotation, add the author name and the year in the sentence itself. Add any location information in parentheses after the quotation.
3. When the quotation comes before the narrative, the citation, add location information, such as page number, after the year and a comma.
4. Suppose the citation is added at the end of a sentence. In that case, the punctuation should be after the closing parentheses of the citation.
5. Make sure to place only periods and commas within the quotation marks. Place other punctuation marks only if they appear in the quoted material.

Block Quotations->  Here’s are the APA style guidelines for large or block quotations.

1. Quotations marks should not be used to enclose block quotations.
2. Start block quotations on a new line with 0.5 block indentation from the left margin.
3. The entire block quotation should be double-spaced.
4. No extra space should be there before or after the quotation.
5. Additional paragraphs in the block quotation should have their indentation.
6. Cite the source of the quotation in parentheses, either after the block quotations final punctuation or add the author & year in the narrative preceding the quotation and add only the page number after the final punctuation of the quotation.

How to Cite a Quote within a Quote in APA

The critical thing to keep in mind while citing a quote within a quote, then you need to give credit to both the source and the source that you have used. Direct quotations within block quotations must be enclosed with double quotation marks. And, for quotations already within double quotations, use single quotations instead.

The above guidelines are all you need to know about how to cite from a person or how to cite from a book in APA format. Please refer to the official APA citation style guides for more detailed information.

Next up, let us look into how to cite a direct quote in the MLA format.

How To Cite Any Quote In The MLA Referencing Style

The Modern Language Association or MLA is a citation system for referencing and documenting sources in academic writing. The MLA style is trendy amongst researchers & writers and is often used in journal articles and academic publications.

The MLA Manual of Style is used in research documentation for humanities, modern language & literature, comparative literature, criticism, media, and cultural studies.

Here are the rules and guidelines one must adhere to while citing quotations using the MLA format

Short quotations

1. For short quotations, enclose the complete quotation within double quotation marks.
2. Mention the author and specify the exact page number in the in-text citation. Add line number for a verse.
3. Every in-text citation must include a complete reference entry in the bibliography, or the Works cited section.  
4. Any punctuation should be added after the parenthetical citations unless they are a part of the cited quote.
5. While quoting short verses from poetry, make sure to add a ‘/’ at the end of each line of the verse. If there is a stanza break, then add a ‘//’.

Block or Long Quotations

1. In case of long quotations, such as those that involve more than four lines of prose or three lines of a verse, you need to place your quotations as a free-standing block of text without any quotation marks.
2. Begin every quotation on a new line with 0.5-inch indentation from the left margin.
3. Parenthetical citations must be added after final punctuation mark of the quoted block.
4. Double spacing must be maintained throughout, and in the case of quoted verse, original line breaks are to be reproduced.
5. In case you are citing long verses of any poetry, make sure to stick to the original formatting as much as possible.
6. While citing more than two paragraphs in a text, use the block quotation format. The first line of the second paragraph must be indented an additional ¼ inch from the left margin in addition to the original 0.5 inches.
7. If you add a word to a quotation, make sure to put some brackets around them. And, if you omit words, use ellipses or three periods to indicate it.

For more detailed information, please refer to the official MLA Manual of Style website.

And, with that, we come to the end of this handy little guide on how to cite a quote using the APA and the MLA citation format.  Let’s hope the information in this guide helps you out in referencing your quotations.

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How to Use Shakespeare’s Quotes- Explanations And Examples

Here are a few quotes along with explanations and examples:

1. “To be, or not to be: that is the question.” – Hamlet, Act III, Scene I

This is one of the most famous Shakespeare quotes, spoken by Hamlet in his famous soliloquy. It reflects on the idea of existence and whether it is better to live or die. Hamlet is contemplating suicide and is wondering if it is worth living in a world full of pain and suffering.

Example: This quote can be used to express deep contemplation or a moment of existential crisis.

2. “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players”-As You Like It, Act II, Scene VII

This quote compares life to a play, where everyone has a role to play. It suggests that life is a performance, and we are all actors who play different parts.

Example: This quote can be used to express the idea that life is a temporary and fleeting experience, and we should make the most of the time we have.

3. “The course of true love never did run smoothly.” – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act I, Scene I

This quote suggests that love is not always easy and can be full of obstacles and challenges. It reflects on the idea that true love requires effort, patience, and perseverance.

Example: This quote can be used to express the challenges and difficulties that people face in relationships.

4. “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” – Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II

This quote suggests that names are just labels and do not define a person or thing’s true nature. It reflects the idea that we should not judge people based on their names, but rather on their actions and character.

Example: This quote can be used to express the idea that people should be judged based on their actions and not their appearance or social status.

5. “All that glitters is not gold.” – The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene VII

This quote suggests that appearances can be deceiving and that things are not always what they seem. It reflects the idea that we should not judge things or people based on their external appearance or material possessions.

Example: This quote can be used to express the idea that we should look beyond the surface to discover the true nature of things.

Frequently Asked Questions by Students:

Q.1: How do you properly cite a quote?

Ans: When citing a quote, it’s important to give credit to the original author and provide enough information for readers to locate the source. In general, you should include the author’s name, the title of the work, the publication date, and the page number where the quote can be found. The citation style may vary depending on the discipline or publication guidelines. Common citation styles include MLA, APA, and Chicago. You can consult a style guide or ask your instructor for specific citation requirements.

Q.2: How do you write quotes in a sentence?

Ans: When writing quotes in a sentence, you should use quotation marks to indicate the exact words that someone has said or written. The quotation marks should be placed at the beginning and end of the quoted material. If the quote is part of a larger sentence, use commas to separate it from the rest of the sentence. If the quote is a complete sentence, use a capital letter at the beginning and end the sentence with a period or other appropriate punctuation. Additionally, make sure to attribute the quote to the correct source.

Q.3: How do you start a quote essay example?

Ans: To start a quote essay, you should first select a quote that is relevant to the topic you are writing about. Make sure the quote supports the argument you want to make in your essay. Next, introduce the quote by providing context for it and explaining how it connects to your argument. Then, provide the quote and cite the source. After the quote, analyze its meaning and how it supports your argument. Finally, use the quote to transition into the next part of your essay.

Q.4: How do you cite a direct quote in a sentence?

Ans: When citing a direct quote in a sentence, it is important to include the author’s name, the year of publication, and the page number where the quote can be found. The citation should be placed immediately after the quote within parentheses, with the author’s last name followed by a comma, the year of publication, and the page number, all separated by commas. For example: “According to Smith (2010), ‘The best way to predict the future is to invent it’ (p. 42).”