3 Ways to Cite a Direct Quotation
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Citing a direct quotation is essential in any form of writing to give proper credit to the original author. Whether you’re writing a research paper or an article, attributing quotations correctly enhances your credibility and helps you avoid plagiarism. Here are three ways to cite a direct quotation:
1. Parenthetical Citation (APA, MLA, and other styles)
In parenthetical citation, the source information is included in parentheses directly after the quote and before the punctuation. Different styles have different rules for formatting.
– APA: Author’s last name, year of publication, and page number (if available) should be included.
Example: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” (Roosevelt, 1933, p. 45).
– MLA: Author’s last name and page number should be included.
Example: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” (Roosevelt 45).
2. Footnotes & Endnotes (Chicago Style)
In Chicago Style, footnotes or endnotes are usually used instead of parenthetical citations.
– Footnotes: At the end of the sentence containing the quotation, place a superscript number that corresponds to a numbered footnote at the bottom of the page.
Example: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”¹
– Endnotes: The same as footnotes but collected at the end of an article or chapter.
Example: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”¹
Both footnote and endnote entries should include author’s full name, title of the source, publication information (city, publisher, year), and page number.
3. Narrative Citation
In narrative citation, you incorporate the author’s name directly into your sentence while still providing any additional information such as publication year and page number in parentheses.
– APA: “As Roosevelt (1933) states, ‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams’ (p. 45).”
– MLA: “Roosevelt argues that ‘the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams’ (45).”
Regardless of which method you choose, it is essential to be consistent with your citation style throughout your work. Always check the specific guidelines of your chosen citation style and follow them accurately to ensure proper attribution and maintain academic integrity.