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Welcome to the Purdue OWLThis page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice. Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use. How to Use Quotation MarksSummary: A rundown of the general rules of when and where to use quotation marks. Using Quotation MarksThe primary function of quotation marks is to set off and represent exact language (either spoken or written) that has come from somebody else. The quotation mark is also used to designate speech acts in fiction and sometimes poetry. Since you will most often use them when working with outside sources, successful use of quotation marks is a practical defense against accidental plagiarism and an excellent practice in academic honesty. The following rules of quotation mark use are the standard in the United States, although it may be of interest that usage rules for this punctuation do vary in other countries. The following covers the basic use of quotation marks. For details and exceptions consult the separate sections of this guide. Direct QuotationsDirect quotations involve incorporating another person's exact words into your own writing.
Indirect QuotationsIndirect quotations are not exact wordings but rather rephrasings or summaries of another person's words. In this case, it is not necessary to use quotation marks. However, indirect quotations still require proper citations, and you will be committing plagiarism if you fail to do so. Mr. Johnson, a local farmer, reported last night that he saw an alien spaceship on his own property. Many writers struggle with when to use direct quotations versus indirect quotations. Use the following tips to guide you in your choice. Use direct quotations when the source material uses language that is particularly striking or notable. Do not rob such language of its power by altering it. Martin Luther King Jr. believed that the end of slavery was important and of great hope to millions of slaves done horribly wrong. The above should never stand in for: Martin Luther King Jr. said of the Emancipation Proclamation, "This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice." Use an indirect quotation (or paraphrase) when you merely need to summarize key incidents or details of the text. Use direct quotations when the author you are quoting has coined a term unique to her or his research and relevant within your own paper. When to use direct quotes versus indirect quotes is ultimately a choice you'll learn a feeling for with experience. However, always try to have a sense for why you've chosen your quote. In other words, never put quotes in your paper simply because your teacher says, "You must use quotes." Which of the following are conditions for choosing to use a direct quotation?Which of the following are conditions for choosing to use a direct quotation? The text flows well with the document you are writing. The text is worded in an especially compelling way. The text highlights the credibility of the person being quoted.
Which of the following is the best advice when using graphics in reports quizlet?Which of the following is the best advice when using graphics in reports? Rationale: The best advice is to use colored graphics to add visual interest.
What is the best advice when writing a statement of purpose for a formal report quizlet?What is the best advice when writing a statement of purpose for a formal report? Use action verbs that tell what you intend to do. In the proposal, plan, and schedule section of a business proposal, your goal is to explain your plan for solving the problem.
Which of the following is the best advice to follow when writing a summary quizlet?Record voting results and actions taken. Which of the following is the best advice to follow when writing a summary? State the main idea or purpose as well as the source of the document being summarized.
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