module 8
Introduction to Quotation Marks, Paraphrasing and Attribution
Adaptation from the Saylor Foundation and Business English for Success.
Quotation Marks
Purpose: Set off direct quotations from the rest of the text.
Indicate direct quotations and titles.
Appear in pairs, except for running quotes.
Types of Quotations
Direct Quotations
An exact account of what someone said or wrote.
Format: Enclose words in quotation marks.
Example: Carly said, "I’m not ever going back there again."
Paraphrasing
A restatement of what someone said using different words.
No quotation marks needed if paraphrasing.
Example: Carly said she would never go back there (no comma necessary).
Importance of Proper Punctuation
Word processing software can catch grammar and spelling errors but does not interpret meaning.
Examples of shifts in meaning:
Without quotation marks: "The client said he thought our manuscript was garbage."
With quotation marks: "The client said, 'He thought our manuscript was garbage.'"
Positioning Attribution
Attribution can be placed at various positions:
Beginning: Madison said, "..."
Middle: "Let's stop at the farmer's market," Madison said, "to buy some vegetables for dinner."
End: "Let's stop at the farmer's market to buy some fresh vegetables for dinner," Madison said.
Always capitalize the first letter of a quote if it is a complete sentence.
Commas and Capitalization Rules
Comma placement: Use commas before and after attribution.
Capitalization:
The first word of a direct quote is always capitalized if it's a complete sentence.
The second part of a quote in a continuous sentence is not capitalized.
Punctuation Rules with Quotation Marks
Commas and periods: Always placed inside quotation marks.
Question marks and exclamation points: Inside quotation marks if part of the quoted text.
Examples:
"When is lunch?" asked the new employee.
Did you hear her say, "You were the next Picasso?"
Quotations within Quotations
Use single quotation marks for a quote inside another quote.
Example: Teresa said, "I want to take my dog to the festival, but the man at the gate said, 'No dogs allowed.'"
The Role of Quotation Marks
Indicate exact language spoken or written by someone else.
Essential for academic honesty and to prevent plagiarism.
Paraphrasing Guidelines
Paraphrases do not use quotation marks but require proper attribution.
Example: Mister Johnson, local farmer, reported seeing an alien spaceship on his property.
If at the end, include a comma before attribution.
Tips for Quoting vs. Paraphrasing
Use direct quotations for notable language:
Example: "The Emancipation Proclamation..."
Use paraphrasing for summarizing key details.
AP Style Guidelines for Quotation Marks
Direct quotations surround speaker's or writer's exact words.
For running quotes, no close quotation marks at the end of the first paragraph, but open at the start of the next.
Dialogue Formatting
Each person's speech is in a separate paragraph with quotation marks.
Example:
Will you go? Yes. When? Thursday.
Using Quotation Marks for Irony and Introduction of Terms
Irony: Put quotation marks around words used ironically.
Unfamiliar terms: Can be placed in quotation marks on first reference.
Avoiding Unnecessary Quotation Marks
Do not use quotation marks for reporting ordinary statements.
Only use partial quotes when necessary; do not quote words that are not accurately stated.
Compound Quotes
Use both single and double quotes appropriately.
Example: He said, "I love you, 'so please stay.'"
Punctuation and Parentheses
Parentheses: Always in pairs, contain secondary information.
Period: Placed outside parentheses when not a complete sentence.
Ellipsis Usage
Indicates deletion of words or an incomplete thought.
Format: Word... (three periods and two spaces).
Guidelines on Fewer vs. Less
Use fewer for countable items, less for bulk quantities.
Correct use: "She had fewer than ten applicants called."
Guidelines on Toward vs. Towards
AP style prefers toward (no 's').
Example: "They are moving toward their goal."