Where To Put The Period After A Quote And Citation
Quotations and citations are essential in academic writing. They add credibility to your arguments and support your claims with evidence. However, many writers struggle with the placement of the period after a quote and citation. In this article, we will discuss the proper placement of the period after a quote and citation.
Placement of the Period After a Quote
When you use a quotation in your writing, the period should be placed inside the quotation marks. For example:
"I have a dream," said Martin Luther King Jr.
In this example, the period is inside the quotation marks because it is part of the quote. If the quote ends with a question mark or an exclamation point, the punctuation mark should still be inside the quotation marks:
"Are you going to the party?" she asked.
Similarly, if the quote is a fragment or a partial sentence, the period should still be inside the quotation marks:
"To be or not to be," said Hamlet.
Placement of the Period After a Citation
When you use a citation in your writing, the period should be placed after the citation. For example:
According to a recent study, "the earth is round." (Smith, 2021).
In this example, the period is after the citation because it is not part of the quote. If the quote ends with a question mark or an exclamation point, the punctuation mark should still be inside the quotation marks, and the period should still be after the citation:
"Are you going to the party?" she asked. (Johnson, 2021).
Similarly, if the quote is a fragment or a partial sentence, the period should still be inside the quotation marks, and the period should still be after the citation:
"To be or not to be," said Hamlet. (Shakespeare, 1603).
Exceptions to the Rules
There are some exceptions to the rules for placing the period after a quote and citation. For example, if you are using a block quote, which is a quote that is longer than four lines, the period should be placed outside the quotation marks:
When we speak of “the environment,” what we really mean is a relationship between the world and ourselves which has been distorted by a particular way of looking at things. We can hardly overestimate the significance of this distortion. It determines the way we think about our responsibilities, and therefore our behavior, as well. (Berry, 1982, p. 1)
In this example, the period is after the citation, which is outside the quotation marks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the placement of the period after a quote and citation is crucial in academic writing. Remember that the period should be inside the quotation marks if it is part of the quote, and it should be after the citation if it is not part of the quote. Keep in mind the exceptions to the rules, such as block quotes. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and properly formatted.
