Quoting Authors’ Ideas: When to Use Quotations or Your Own Words?
While working on assignments or writing essays, it is quintessential for a writer to pen down his thoughts and findings in the best possible manner in order to get brownie points from the reader. One simple way in which writings can be made impressive is by using popular quotations of renowned individuals. Quotes essentially imply citing exactly what was once said/ written by someone else. However, when to put these quotations to use is a commonly asked query. Well, there are a lot of things to be kept in mind while quoting authors.
Effective use of quotations does have a positive impact on the reader as it corroborates your knowledge of matter and literature, however, using irrelevant quotes, on the other hand, could distract the reader from the point that you’re trying to make. In such a scenario, it is in your best interest to use words that would put across your thoughts in an appropriate manner. You should thus, rely on your own vocabulary and choice of words to ensure that the right message gets through. This could be best done by rephrasing or summarizing an author’s quotation or the context of the quote in your own words, only post the due acknowledgment of the author. This will also help maintain consistency in your report as you would stick to your own style of writing for its completion. It is extremely important for one o be very choosy while selecting and eventually using quotations in one’s work marketing assignment help.
Some of us are often perplexed with regard to the number of quotations that an article must ideally comprise of. A quick tip: Using four quotations for an essay/ assignment of 2000 words is often a fair deal. This would be just enough to highlight your cognizance of literature as well as the subject. Use of more quotations could trigger the reader going off-track.
As far as the decision of whether or not one must use a quotation is concerned, here are a few significant pointers to be kept in mind while taking a call:
1. Is the quotation relevant? Does it have a valid relation with the topic in discussion?
2. Is the quotation representative of an idea that could not be put into words of your own in a simpler or better manner?
3. Is the expression of the quotation powerful/ dramatic enough to leave a lasting impact on the reader? If not, could you possibly reconstruct the quote to make it more authoritative?
4. It is a necessity for the words to be produced as it is, such as in cases of literary analysis or even while displaying legislation?
5. When in doubt about which quote to go for between the shortlisted two, it is advisable to go for the one cited originally by a more renowned figure.
6. Ensure that the use of quotation is effective and that the quote must not look abrupt as per many assignment provider experts.
Summary:
The article lays emphasis on the effective use of quotations in assignments so as to score better. However, it also states that it is imperative to understand when to cite quotations and when to use our own words. Citing quotations leaves the reader impressed. However, use of irrelevant quotes could also leave him perplexed. Thus, in such cases, one must use one’s own words to express his thoughts. This can be done by rephrasing popular quotes while acknowledging the author. A few pointers for selecting quotations have also been mentioned.
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