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Using Quotations Effectively: What Is A Quotation?

The document discusses how to effectively use quotations in writing. It explains that quotations should be used to support your own ideas, not replace them, and provides context for the quote. It also likens using a quote to building a sandwich, with introducing and commenting on the quote being the bread on either side.

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Kiran Kumar
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25 views

Using Quotations Effectively: What Is A Quotation?

The document discusses how to effectively use quotations in writing. It explains that quotations should be used to support your own ideas, not replace them, and provides context for the quote. It also likens using a quote to building a sandwich, with introducing and commenting on the quote being the bread on either side.

Uploaded by

Kiran Kumar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Using Quotations Effectively

What is a quotation?

Quoting simply means repeating what someone else has said or written. When a
character says something in a play or novel s/he is speaking but when you repeat what
the character says in your writing or in oral work you are quoting the character.
When you do this you must use quotation marks (also known as speech marks or
inverted commas) to show that it is not your work.

Why use quotations?

Imagine you are a lawyer and your essay is your way of convincing a jury (your
teacher or examiner) of the validity of your argument. A lawyer might be interesting
and persuasive but without evidence a jury is never going to be sure that what the
lawyer is saying is true. Quotes and examples work like evidence in a court case –
they convince your audience that what you’re saying is true.

Quotations, then, are used to support your own ideas, they should not take the place of
your ideas or be used to tell the story. Quotes are a useful way of exploring how
theme, character and language are used in a play or novel or a particular part of it.

You should usually provide some kind of context for the quote and comment on what
is interesting about it.

How to use quotations

Using a quote is like building a sandwich or burger. The first bit of bread is like your
introduction for your quote. After
making a point, give some context
for the quote and explain how it
The quote is the meat in illustrates your argument
the middle of the
sandwich. It might be
yummy but it tastes
better between two bits
of bread!

The second piece of bread is like your


comment on your quote. Why is it
interesting? What does it reveal about
character/language/plot etc?

© www.teachit.co.uk quot227

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