Brackets Around First Letter Of A Quote
When writing an article or a paper, it is important to know the proper way to format a quote. One common formatting option is to put brackets around the first letter of a quote. This may seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in the clarity and professionalism of your writing.
What Are Brackets?
Brackets, also known as square brackets or box brackets, are punctuation marks that are used to enclose or set off a word or phrase within a sentence. They are typically used to add additional information, clarify a statement, or indicate an error in a quote.
When to Use Brackets Around the First Letter of a Quote
Brackets are often used when quoting someone else's words or when adding emphasis to a specific portion of a quote. When using brackets around the first letter of a quote, it is generally done to indicate a change in capitalization from the original quote.
For example, if the original quote began with a lower-case letter, but you want to start the quote with an upper-case letter to fit the context of your own sentence, you would use brackets to indicate the change. The quote might look something like this:
"[T]he best way to predict the future is to invent it." - Alan Kay
In this example, the original quote began with a lower-case "t", but the quote has been changed to begin with an upper-case "T" to fit the context of the sentence it is being used in.
Other Uses for Brackets
Brackets are versatile punctuation marks that can be used in a variety of ways. Here are a few other common uses for brackets:
- To indicate an error in a quote: [sic] is often used within brackets to indicate that a mistake or error in the original quote is being left intact in the new quote.
- To add additional information: [emphasis added] or [author's note] can be used within brackets to add information to a quote or sentence.
- To clarify a statement: [he] or [she] can be used within brackets to clarify the gender of a pronoun.
Conclusion
Using brackets around the first letter of a quote can be a helpful tool when you need to change the capitalization of a quote to fit the context of your own sentence. However, it is important to use brackets correctly and to be aware of their other uses as well. By paying attention to these small details, you can improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing.