Editing Editing QuotationsQuotationsHeuermanHeuerman

Rules of QuotationsRules of Quotations

1.1. Do not lead with quotes!Do not lead with quotes!

2.2. Do not end paragraphs with Do not end paragraphs with quotes-always open and quotes-always open and close with your own words.close with your own words.

3.3. Quotes are supposed to be Quotes are supposed to be textual support for your main textual support for your main argument/topic sentence.argument/topic sentence.

Edit personal pronouns Edit personal pronouns & contractions& contractions (and past tense if (and past tense if

applicable)applicable)

Example: Sally whined “I can’t Example: Sally whined “I can’t walk down the alley” (125).walk down the alley” (125).

First problem here: Personal pronoun - First problem here: Personal pronoun - “I”“I”

Second problem here: Contraction – Second problem here: Contraction – “can’t”“can’t”

Should you change tense? If necessary, Should you change tense? If necessary, but don’t change context!but don’t change context!

Steps to edit quotesSteps to edit quotes Step 1: simply remove desired Step 1: simply remove desired information information (personal (personal

pronouns and contractions)pronouns and contractions)

Step 2: replace with edited Step 2: replace with edited material material

Step 3: add brackets around Step 3: add brackets around edited material to show edited material to show that that you edited something you edited something

Final ProductFinal ProductUnedited Example: Sally whined “I can’t Unedited Example: Sally whined “I can’t

walk down the alley” (125). walk down the alley” (125). New ExampleNew Example: “[Sally could not] walk : “[Sally could not] walk

down the alley” (125).down the alley” (125). New ExampleNew Example: Sally whined that “[she : Sally whined that “[she

could not] walk down the alley” (125).could not] walk down the alley” (125).

Lead-ins/Quote Lead-ins/Quote introductions are the key introductions are the key to this process!to this process!

A Quote with Multiple A Quote with Multiple BracketsBrackets

Unedited Example: When being interrogated, Abigail tells Mr. Hale “I never sold myself! I’m a good girl! I’m a proper girl!” (43).

Thoughts to consider:Do you need to use a complete sentence?Can you take off part of quote and still use it in its original context?Can you use other words to represent the same information?

When being interrogated, Abigail tells Mr. Hale “I never sold myself! I’m a good girl! I’m a proper girl!” (43).

Option #1: When being interrogated, Abigail tells Mr. Hale that has never sold herself and claims that “[She is] a good girl! [She is] a proper girl!” (43). 

Option #2: When being interrogated, Abigail tells Mr. Hale that has never sold herself and claims that “[She is] a good girl…a proper girl!” (43).