Using Quotations Effectively

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Using Quotations Effectively
Cardiff School of Religious Theological
Studies Astudiaethau Crefyddol a Diwinyddol
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Introduction

• This presentation has been designed as a
  self-study guide, which you can work through at
  your own pace
• However, we recommend that you take at least 30
  minutes to complete it
• We also recommend that you keep it as a reference
  guide after you have completed it
• Remember
• This guide aims to complement and not replace
  other forms of learning
• If you need help, ask us! Its what were here
  for!

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Aim

• The aim of this guide is
• To introduce you to the correct use of quotations
  in academic writing

Back
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Objectives

• Once you have worked through this guide, you
  should be able to
• Understand the main uses of quotations in
  academic writing
• Recognise some of the main features of accurate
  quotation
• Begin using quotations in your own essay writing

Back
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Definitions

• In order to understand how to use quotations, we
  first need to understand what quotations are
• A quotation can be defined as an exact report of
  the words of another person, whether written or
  spoken
• For example
• Person A says, The cat sat on the mat.
• A quotation would therefore be a word for word
  reproduction of that phrase

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Why Use Quotations?

• Now you know what quotations are, why should you
  use them when writing your essay?
• In other words, what are their strengths and
  weaknesses?

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Strengths

• Used correctly, quotations can
• Add a sense of depth
• Emphasise a significant point
• Help demonstrate your reading
• Develop your writing style
• Encourage further thought and reflection

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Weaknesses

• Excessive or incorrect use of quotations can
• Obscure your own ideas
• Make your essay too long
• Suggest that you are trying to hide poor research
• Make your essay difficult to read

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Academic Conventions

• There are a number of important conventions
  which you should use when handling quotes
• Exact Quotation
• You should always quote the passage exactly as
  it appears in the text. If the quote does not
  make sense, you can add words in square brackets.
• Example The cat sat on the mat.
• Location
• Always record exactly where you took the quote
  from, with page number(s) included.
• Example The cat sat on the mat (Frank,
  1998, 111).
• This is because your readers (who are usually
  your examiners) need to able to check the
  accuracy of your quote

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Academic Conventions (continued)

• Grammar
• Your quote should always make grammatical sense
  within the wider sentence.
• Example
• According to Frank, The cat sat on the mat
  (Frank, 1998, 111).
• Single Quotation Marks
• Use single quotation marks for all normal
  quotations
• Example The cat sat on the mat.
• Double Quotation Marks (or Speech Marks)
• Use double quotation marks (speech marks) when
  citing a quote within a quote
• Example According to Frank, The cat sat on
  the mat.

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Short Long Quotes

• According to convention, short and long
  quotations are handled differently
• It is important that you remember that
• A short quote is a passage of less than two lines
  of text
• By contrast, a long quote is anything greater
  than two lines of text
• Make sure you remember this key difference

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Short Quotes

• Short passages should be left within the main
  body of your paragraph
• Example
• According to Frank, The cat sat on the mat
  (1998, 111). From this, we can deduce that cats
  do indeed sit on mats.
• As you can see, the actual quote itself forms a
  discreet part of the paragraph in which it appears

Section 8.1.5.1 8.1.5.2 of the Student Handbook
has further examples
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Long Quotes

• Extensive quotes (those longer than two lines)
  need to be treated slightly differently
• Such passages need to be separated from the main
  paragraph and indented
• Example
• According to Frank, The cat sat on the mat
  (1998, 111). From this, we can deduce that cats
  do indeed sit on mats. By contrast, Smith makes
  the following important point
• Even though cats sit on mats, we must remember
  that cats can also sit on other surfaces. It is
  essential that we keep the multi-functional
  nature of cats and their possible seating options
  firmly in mind (Smith, 1994, 20).
• This is an important qualification (and then
  continue writing)
• As you can see, this makes such a long passage
  stand out clearly

Section 8.1.5.1 8.1.5.2 of the Student Handbook
has further examples
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Long Quotes (continued)

• Spacing
• Although the main body of your essay should be
  either 1.5 or double spaced, indented quotations
  should be single spaced (see the previous
  example).

Section 8.1.5.1 8.1.5.2 of the Student Handbook
has further examples
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Things to Avoid

• Remember to keep sight of yourself when quoting
  from other writers.
• Sometimes, essays can turn into a collage of
  other peoples views, and the writer can appear
  as purely an editor.
• Example
• Pearson argues X, whereas Frotteur argues Y.
  Nimlet on the other hand maintains. . ..
• Remember that while the ability to engage with
  other critics is a very important aspect of
  Religious Studies, your own voice is ultimately
  the most important one in your essay.

Adapted from the Module Handbook for Religion,
Culture Society Part I, by Dr. Jo Pearson
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Things to Avoid (continued)

• Dont make quotations do the work of argument.
  If you include a quote, dont think that it
  proves your point just because its there.
  Explore and explain it.
• Example
• Marina Cogitator has called witchcraft an
  exploration of the difference between power and
  authority. In an opening prayer, one
  participant says
• This version leaves Cogitators point
  unchallenged it is simply there. As such, its
  worth a mark or two, but subjecting it to greater
  analysis will often yield rewards.

Adapted from the Module Handbook for Religion,
Culture Society Part I, by Dr. Jo Pearson
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Analysing Your Quote

• To really maximise the amount of marks you get,
  analyse the point your quote is making.
• Example
• Marina Cogitator has argued that witchcraft is
  an exploration of the difference between power
  and authority. By this, she means that true
  spiritual worth is divorced from earthly
  position, and that it is often humble or socially
  marginal people who possess genuine wisdom.
• Whether or not the fictitious Marina Cogitator is
  right isnt the point. The question is does
  her suggestion help your argument, and can you
  accommodate her ideas alongside your own?

Adapted from the Module Handbook for Religion,
Culture Society Part I, by Dr. Jo Pearson
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Points to Remember

• As we have seen, the main difference between
  effective and ineffective quotations is
  appropriateness
• When deciding whether to use a quote, ask
  yourself
• Why are you using it?
• How are you planning to use it?
• Where are you planning to use it?
• What does it add to your essay?
• How long is it?
• Is it really necessary?
• Does it make an absolutely essential point?

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More Points to Remember

• What are you trying to say with your quote?
• Does it make grammatical sense?
• How does it affect your argument?
• Does it support, contrast with or challenge the
  point you are making?
• Will you be able to explore the quote and its
  significance?
• Do you have enough space to properly analyse the
  quote and the point it is making?

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To Recap

• Analyse your quote
• Explore its significance
• Contrast it with counter-arguments
• Decide its true value as a statement
• Remember
• A quote is merely something someone else has said
  about your topic
• By itself, it does not prove your point!

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Conclusions

• Reviewing our Aims
• Reviewing our Objectives

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Finding Extra Help

• You can find further help with quotes in
• The Student Handbook
• The Guide to Academic Integrity
• Individual Module Handbooks
• You can also talk to
• Lecturers (during their office hours)
• The Student Support Officer
• Richard Cawley (CawleyR_at_cf.ac.uk or ext. 75611)

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Cardiff School of Religious Theological
Studies Astudiaethau Crefyddol a Diwinyddol