If You Are Citing A Quote Within A Quote
When writing academic papers or articles, it is common to use quotes from other sources to support your argument or point of view. However, what happens when the quote you want to use contains another quote within it? This can be a tricky situation, but with the proper formatting and citation guidelines, it can be done correctly.
What is a quote within a quote?
A quote within a quote is when you want to use a quote from a source that is already quoting someone else. This can happen in various situations, such as when a book or article quotes a speech or interview. In these cases, it is important to properly attribute both the original speaker and the author of the book or article.
How to format a quote within a quote
When formatting a quote within a quote, there are a few rules to follow. Firstly, use double quotation marks ("") for the outer quote and single quotation marks ('') for the inner quote. This helps to differentiate between the two quotes and make it clear to the reader which words are being attributed to which source.
For example, if you want to quote a passage from a book that is quoting a speech, it would look something like this:
"In his speech, Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, 'I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."' This quote highlights the importance of equality in American society."
How to cite a quote within a quote
When citing a quote within a quote, it is important to give credit to both the original speaker and the author of the source you are using. This can be done by using the appropriate citation style for your paper or article.
For example, if you are using the APA citation style, the citation for the above example would look like this:
King, M.L. (1963). I have a dream. Washington, D.C.: American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. Quoted in Smith, J. (2018). The importance of equality in American society. Journal of Social Justice, 15(2), 45-60.
Conclusion
Using quotes within quotes can be a bit confusing, but by following the proper formatting and citation guidelines, you can ensure that your sources are properly attributed and your writing is clear and concise. Remember to use double quotation marks for the outer quote and single quotation marks for the inner quote, and give credit to both the original speaker and the author of the source you are using.