Quoting is when you use the exact words from the original source/author(s).
You MUST cite the original source, both in-text and in your references/works cited.
Use quotes sparingly.
Quote when the original meaning of the statement would be lost by rewording.
Quote when the original words are particularly impactful or eloquent.
Quote when you are presenting an opposing viewpoint with which you intent to argue.
Quote when you want the authority of the author's words to back up your argument.
Quote when you intend to analyze the original author's statement.
Do not overuse quotes - a good rule of thumb is that no more than 10% of your paper should be direct quotes.
Overuse of quotes may indicate to your professor that:
you don't understand the material.
you did not thoroughly research your topic.
you rushed.
You MUST cite the original source, both in-text and in your references/works cited.
Short quotes (less than 40 words) must be in double quotation marks.
Long quotes (more than 40 words) must be in a block quote.
Be sure to introduce and/or contextualize your quote - who are you quoting and/or why are you using this quote?
| From page 24 of the original source: | Short Quote |
| Where a working class is divided along racial or nationality lines, attempts by one segment to go solo inevitably serve the interests of capital, are encouraged by capital, and limit the possibilities for working-class power. Fletcher, B. (2020). Race is about more than discrimination: Racial capitalism, the settler state, and the challenges facing organized labor in the United States. Monthly Review, 72(3), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.14452/MR-072-03-2020-073 |
Fletcher (2020) argues that, "[w]here a working class is divided along racial or nationality lines, attempts by one segment to go solo inevitably serve the interests of capital, are encouraged by capital, and limit the possibilities for working-class power" (p. 24). An APA citation was included on the Reference List. |
We chose to use a quote in the above example because the original wording was particularly impactful.
We included proper in-text and Reference List citations and used double quotation marks around the quoted material.