Ellipses At The Beginning Of A Quote
When quoting someone, it is important to be accurate and to represent their words as they were spoken or written. However, there are times when you may need to omit part of a quote, either for brevity or to remove irrelevant information. In these cases, you may choose to use ellipses at the beginning of a quote. This can be a useful tool, but it is important to use them correctly to avoid misrepresenting the original speaker or writer.
What Are Ellipses?
Ellipses are a series of three dots (…) used to indicate that a portion of text has been omitted. They can be used in the middle or at the end of a quote to show that something has been removed. They are often used in academic writing, journalism, and legal documents to indicate that a quote has been shortened.
Using Ellipses At The Beginning Of A Quote
When using ellipses at the beginning of a quote, it is important to understand that this can change the meaning of the original quote. Ellipses are often used to remove unnecessary or irrelevant information, but they can also be used to change the tone or emphasis of a quote. Therefore, it is important to use them judiciously and to ensure that the meaning of the original quote is not distorted.
Examples Of Using Ellipses At The Beginning Of A Quote
Here are some examples of using ellipses at the beginning of a quote:
Original Quote: "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.'"Modified Quote: "…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 ellipses are used to remove the first part of the quote, which is not relevant to the point being made.
Original Quote: "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky."Modified Quote: "…sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky."In this example, the ellipses are used to change the emphasis of the quote. By removing the first part of the sentence, the quote takes on a more defensive tone.
When To Use Ellipses At The Beginning Of A Quote
There are several situations when it may be appropriate to use ellipses at the beginning of a quote:
- To remove irrelevant or unnecessary information
- To change the emphasis or tone of a quote
- To shorten a long quote
- To remove a quote from its original context
However, it is important to remember that ellipses can change the meaning of a quote and should be used with caution. If in doubt, it may be better to use a longer quote or to paraphrase the original text.
Conclusion
Ellipses can be a useful tool when quoting someone, but it is important to use them correctly to avoid misrepresenting the original speaker or writer. When using ellipses at the beginning of a quote, it is important to consider the context and to ensure that the meaning of the original quote is not distorted. By using ellipses judiciously, you can create more concise and effective quotes that accurately represent the ideas and opinions of the original speaker or writer.