Capitalize A Quote In The Middle Of A Sentence
When writing, we often need to include a quote within a sentence. But how should we capitalize the quote? Should we capitalize the first letter of the quote, or leave it as it is? In this article, we will discuss the proper way to capitalize a quote in the middle of a sentence.
What is a Quote?
A quote is a statement or passage from a written work, speech, or conversation that is repeated or used by someone else. It can be used to support or illustrate a point, or to provide evidence for an argument. When we use a quote in our writing, we need to make sure that it is properly attributed and formatted.
How to Capitalize a Quote in the Middle of a Sentence
When we include a quote in the middle of a sentence, we need to make sure that we capitalize it properly. The general rule is that we should capitalize the first letter of a quote if it is a complete sentence, but we should not capitalize it if it is not.
For example:
"I have a dream," said Martin Luther King Jr.
In this example, the quote is a complete sentence, so we capitalize the first letter of the quote.
"I have a dream," said Martin Luther King Jr., "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.'"
In this example, the quote is not a complete sentence, so we do not capitalize the first letter of the quote.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are some exceptions to the rule of capitalizing a quote in the middle of a sentence. For example, if the quote is a proper noun or a title, we should capitalize the first letter of the quote regardless of whether it is a complete sentence or not.
For example:
"To be or not to be," said Hamlet.
In this example, "To be or not to be" is the title of a play, so we capitalize the first letter of the quote.
"I have a dream," said Martin Luther King Jr., "that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood."
In this example, "I have a dream" is the title of a speech, so we capitalize the first letter of the quote.
Conclusion
When including a quote in the middle of a sentence, it is important to know how to capitalize it properly. Remember that you should capitalize the first letter of a quote if it is a complete sentence, but you should not capitalize it if it is not. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as when the quote is a proper noun or a title.
