Can We Use Quotes In Essays?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can we use quotes in essays?

The first time you use a from a source in an essay, introduce the author and the work that the quotation is attributed to before you use the actual quotation in the essay

. Later in the essay, you simply need to address the author's last name before using the quotation.

How do you mention a quote in an essay?


An exact quote should be in (” “), or if the quotation is 40 words or more, should be formatted as a block quotation

. Then you put an In-Text Citation right after the quotation to show where the quote came from.

Are quotes necessary in essays?

Using in essays

helps to demonstrate your knowledge of the text, and provides solid evidence for your arguments

.

Can you use quotes in an academic essay?

In academic writing,

you need to use quotation marks when you quote a source

. This includes quotes from published works and primary data such as interviews. The exception is when you use a block quote, which should be set off and indented without quotation marks.

How do you start an essay with a quote?

To start an essay with a quote,

introduce the quote by including the name of the author

, such as, “John Keats once said…” When you include the quote, put quotation marks around it and make sure to put any punctuation inside the quotation marks.

Is starting an essay with a quote bad?


To start with a quote is not wrong

, but you may do better, as onomatomaniak suggested, to “think of an engaging first sentence that makes the reader think you have something interesting to say.”

Is it bad to end a paragraph with a quote?

Never allow the quotation to do your work for you. Usually you will want to keep the quotation and your analysis together in the same paragraph. Hence

it is a good idea to avoid ending a paragraph with a quotation

.

When should you use quotes?

The 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.

How do I write an essay?

  1. Start writing early —the earlier the better. …
  2. Keep the essay question in mind. …
  3. Don't try to write an essay from beginning to end, especially not in a single sitting. …
  4. Write the introduction and conclusion after the body. …
  5. Use ‘signpost' words in your writing. …
  6. Integrate your evidence carefully.

How do you put a quote in an essay MLA?


Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented 1/2 inch from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing

. Your parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark. When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. (You should maintain double-spacing throughout your essay.)

How long can a quote be in an essay?

There are

no official limits to quotation length

, though any quotations that are more than four lines should be formatted as a separate block quote. However, it is generally better to paraphrase the sources you cite rather than use direct quotations.

Can you use quotes in an introduction paragraph?


It is usually best not to begin or end your introductory paragraph with a quotation

. You weaken your argument by relying on someone else's words so early on in the paper.

Is it OK to start a body paragraph with a quote?

You do not want to start with evidence, which means that

you should never begin a paragraph with a quotation from a source

. Instead, your first sentence should clearly identify the single trend or gap in the research that you want to discuss in that paragraph.

Can you start a college essay with a quote?

In most cases,

quoting other people isn't a good way to start your college essay

. Admissions officers want to hear your thoughts about yourself, and quotes often don't achieve that. Unless a quote truly adds something important to your essay that it otherwise wouldn't have, you probably shouldn't include it.

What should you not do in an essay?

  • Being too general/vague structure. …
  • Trying too hard to sound academic. …
  • Using doubtful sources. …
  • Copying and paste – a big NO! …
  • Forgetting to quote/reference. …
  • Forgetting to proofread. …
  • Using “slang wording' …
  • Not following task specifications.

Can you say I in an essay?

In academic or college writing, most formal essays and research reports use third person pronouns and

do not use “I” or “you.”

What should you never start an essay with?

  • 1) Contractions. …
  • 2) Idioms. …
  • 3-5) “So on,” “etc,” “and so forth“ …
  • 6) Clichés. …
  • 7-11) “Thing,” “stuff,” “good,” “bad,” “big“ …
  • 12) Slang, jargon, teen speak. …
  • 13) Rhetorical questions.

Can I have quotes in my conclusion?

The conclusion is not the place to present new facts (should be in the body of your essay), so

conclusions don't usually have references unless you come up with a ‘punchy' quote from someone special as a final word

.

When should quotation marks not be used?

Quotation Marks: When Not to Use.

Do not use quotation marks with indirect quotations

. One woman I interviewed said that her husband argued like a lawyer. Do not use quotation marks with cliches, slang, or trite expressions that you have doubts about using.

What is quoting in academic writing?

Quoting is

an important technique used to include information from outside sources in academic writing

. When using quotations, it is important that you also cite the original reference that you have taken the quotation from, as your citations provide your reader with a map of the research that you have done.

What is wrong way to use quotations?

There are many ways to go wrong with quotation marks. They are often used ironically:

She ran around with a bunch of “intellectuals.”

The quotation marks around “intellectuals” indicate that the writer believes that these are in fact so-called intellectuals, not real intellectuals at all.

What's an essay format?

A basic essay consists of three main parts:

introduction, body, and conclusion

. This basic essay format will help you to write and organize an essay. However, flexibility is important. While keeping this basic essay format in mind, let the topic and specific assignment guide the writing and organization.

What makes a good essay?

An essay or paper should be

organized logically, flow smoothly, and “stick” together

. In other words, everything in the writing should make sense to a reader. A paper should be written in generally correct standard English, with complete sentences, and be relatively error-free.

How can I improve my essay writing?

  1. Know What You Are Going to Write About Before You Start Writing. …
  2. Acquire a Solid Understanding of Basic Grammar, Punctuation, and Style. …
  3. Use the Right Vocabulary and Know What the Words You Are Using Actually Mean. …
  4. Understand the Argument and Critically Analyze the Evidence.

How do you quote an online article in an essay?

Citing online articles


Write the article title in title case (all major words capitalized).

Use the most recent publication date on the page, including the day, month, and year if available. Author last name, First name. “Title of Article.” Website Name, Day Month Year, URL.

How do you put a quote in a research paper?

You have to

cite the author's last name, year of publication and page number in the text along with the quotation

. The quotation marks should make the quotation well recognizable from your own words. In online sources where page number is not present you can write paragraph number or else omit it.

How do you direct quote?

You'll often use direct quotes in the middle of a paragraph.

Use double quotation marks at the beginning and end of the quote, use the exact words from the original text and show your source

, or your work being could be considered as plagiarism.

How do you end an essay with a quote?

  1. Provide a solid closure to your essay;
  2. Fortify your point of view;
  3. Give one final argument in favor of your thesis statement;
  4. Establish your authority on a topic;
  5. Helps your essay stand out.

Can you use a quote twice in an essay?

Is a quote a good hook?


A quote is an outstanding way to begin your introduction

. But why better to start your essay with a sentence from somebody else who was smart and famous? Because it makes you seem strong and confident. The impression that the reader has about the speaker will be transferred to your essay.

Can I use a quote in my thesis statement?

A thesis should be objective. Therefore, you cannot base your arguments based on another person's ideas. However,

you can incorporate a quote within your thesis statement to emphasize or illustrate some of your claims that need to be proved

.

Can you use quotes as hooks?

How do you introduce a quote?

  1. Use a full sentence followed by a colon to introduce a quotation. …
  2. Begin a sentence with your own words, then complete it with quoted words. …
  3. Use an introductory phrase naming the source, followed by a comma to quote a critic or researcher.

How do you mention a quote?

If you quote something a character says,

use double quotation marks on the outside ends of the quotation to indicate that you are quoting a portion of the text

. Use single quotation marks inside the double quotation marks to indicate that someone is speaking.

How do you cite a quote from a person?

When making reference to the spoken words of someone other than the author recorded in a text,

cite the name of the person and the name of the author, date and page reference of the work in which the quote or reference appears

.

What do you put after a quote in an essay?

Provide commentary after a quote to explain how it supports your ideas. A quote doesn't support your ideas unless you analyze it and link it back to your thesis. After the quote,

write 1-3 sentences explaining what the quote means, why it supports your topic sentence, and how it supports your argument overall

.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.