How to Integrate Sources into Papers: 1. Quoting

A quotation (or direct quotation) copies the exact words, including punctuation, from the original source and encloses them in quotation marks.

Here are some good reasons to include quotes in your writing:

• When paraphrasing would alter the original message

• To add credibility to your argument

• When the wording of the quote is important

Yes, you can. Using excessive quotations can make your paper choppy and overshadow your own voice and analysis. It is better to integrate information smoothly by paraphrasing or summarizing, which shows your understanding of the research by being able to write about it in your own words

A dropped quote is when you include a quote in your writing without introducing it with a signal phrase, explained where the information came from, or its significance to your point. These types of quotes are "dropped" into into your paper with no context.

Dropped quotation:

There are many ads for prescription drugs on television. “African-American physicians regard direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines as one way to educate minority patients about needed treatment and healthcare options” (Wechsler).

Quotation with a signal phrase:

In her Pharmaceutical Executive article available through the Wilson Select Internet database, Jill Wechsler writes about one of the positive effects from advertising prescription drugs on television. “African-American physicians regard direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medicines as one way to educate minority patients about needed treatment and healthcare options.”

 

• Use a signal phrase to introduce a quote

• All quotes require an in-text citation

• When quoting someone and you want to omit a word or phrase, you can use ellipses (...) to show that part of the quotation was intentionally left out.

• Use brackets [ ] to add or modify a word or phrase within a quotation for clarity. Only make insertions for the purpose of helping the reader better understand the quoted material.

• Represent the original author's idea honestly by quoting enough of the original text to accurately reflect their point. In other words, do not quote out of context.