Starting A Quote In The Middle Of A Sentence
Quotations are an essential part of writing, whether you are writing an academic paper, a blog post, or an article. In some cases, you may need to start a quote in the middle of a sentence. This can be tricky, but it is a useful skill to have. In this article, we will discuss how to start a quote in the middle of a sentence and provide some examples.
What is a quote?
A quote is a group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated by someone other than the original author or speaker. Quotes are used to support arguments, provide evidence, or illustrate a point. In academic writing, quotes are often used to show that the writer has read and understood the material.
How to start a quote in the middle of a sentence
Starting a quote in the middle of a sentence can be tricky, but it is necessary in certain situations. Here are some tips on how to do it:
- Use an ellipsis (...) to indicate that you are leaving out part of the sentence. For example: "The author writes, 'The...sky was blue.'"
- Use square brackets to add words to the quote. For example: "The author writes, 'The sky [on that day] was blue.'"
- Use a colon to introduce the quote. For example: "The author writes: 'The sky was blue.'"
Examples
Here are some examples of how to start a quote in the middle of a sentence:
"The author writes, 'The...sky was blue.'"
"The author writes, 'The sky [on that day] was blue.'"
"The author writes: 'The sky was blue.'"
When to use quotes
It is important to use quotes in your writing when you are using someone else's words. This includes quotes from books, articles, speeches, interviews, and other sources. Quotes should be used to support your own arguments and ideas, not as a substitute for them.
Conclusion
Starting a quote in the middle of a sentence can be intimidating, but it is a useful skill to have. By using ellipses, square brackets, and colons, you can effectively integrate quotes into your writing. Remember to use quotes to support your own arguments and ideas, and to give credit to the original authors and speakers. Happy quoting!