Question:
When quoting a passage in a formal essay, can you write "the selected quote above explains."?
2008-07-01 20:49:47 UTC
When quoting a passage in a formal essay, can you write "the selected quote above explains."?
Five answers:
Demetri C
2008-07-01 21:02:41 UTC
There is nothing technically wrong with that approach that I'm aware of, but stylistically, you are better off not dropping a whole passage into your essay. Instead, use specific quoted phrases or sentences to support your points. Not only are they easier to work into your sentences, but they make your arguments clearer. Only use long passages where including them in their entirety helps you make a point about their overall qualities that a snippet doesn't capture. Otherwise, it might seem you're trying to pad your essay's length. Good luck!
Richie
2008-07-01 20:59:33 UTC
You can do whatever your heart desires when writing a formal paper. Only don't be shocked when your heart desires something bad.



This is hard to talk about in abstract, and I don't expect you to send me your paper. But the context in which you use a quote should flow seamlessly. You don't need to say "the quote explains" because you're using the quote for that very reason.

Okay, here's an example: Joe Blow says, "I'm really pissed off!" The quote above explains Joe is angry.



It's in the phrasing. A paper should work nearly as well when read aloud, right? So you don't need to call the quote directly. You're already citing, so a bunch of text in quotations with a footnote or something is obviously not your own thought.
ThatOneGuy
2008-07-01 20:54:57 UTC
I'm no English major, but usually quotes are used to help support a topic or whatever you're writing about. You shouldn't have to write "the selected quote above explains" if you are already explaining something. The quote just helps support it.
BD
2008-07-01 20:54:50 UTC
You shouldn't do that. You should go on to explain the quote without having to say, "the selected quote above explains." The idea is that you don't randomly add a quote in the middle of a paragraph, the quote should go with the thought your currently discussing in the paragraph.



For example

When Dr. Freud said, "there is a subconscious," he was referring to the part of the mind that is behind the scenes. Bla bla bla. Continuing with discussing the subconcept.



Good luck with your writing dude.
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2016-11-09 16:17:44 UTC
a million) Anger dwells purely interior the bosom of fools. - Albert Einstein. 2) communicate once you're indignant and you will make the terrific speech you will ever be apologetic approximately. -Ambrose Bierce 3) a guy who has in no way made a female indignant is a failure in existence.- Christopher Morley 4) He who angers you conquers you. - Elizabeth Kenny 5) regardless of is all started in anger ends up in shame. - Benjamin Franklin 6) anybody can grow to be indignant. that's elementary. yet to be indignant with the the terrific option individual, to the the terrific option degree, on the the terrific option time, for the the terrific option objective and interior the the terrific option way... that's no longer common.-- Aristotle.


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