How to Quote a Quote from an Article: A Guide

Ever find the perfect sentence in an article that perfectly encapsulates your argument, but feel unsure how to properly integrate it into your own writing? Correctly citing sources is crucial in academic and professional writing, not only to give credit where it’s due, but also to strengthen your own credibility and avoid plagiarism. Misquoting or improperly attributing sources can weaken your argument and even lead to serious academic or professional consequences.

Mastering the art of quoting effectively demonstrates your understanding of the source material and allows you to build upon existing research with accuracy and integrity. Whether you’re writing a research paper, a blog post, or a report, knowing how to seamlessly weave quoted material into your work is an essential skill. It’s about presenting the author’s words fairly while maintaining your own voice and analysis.

What are the common questions about quoting articles?

How do I cite a quote within a quote from an article?

When you’re quoting material that itself contains a quotation, you need to acknowledge both the original source and the source where you found the quote. Typically, this involves using single quotation marks to indicate the inner quote and double quotation marks for your primary quote, and then correctly citing the source of the article you consulted.

The specific formatting depends on the citation style you’re using (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.), but the general principle remains the same. For instance, in MLA style, if you found a quote by John Doe in an article by Jane Smith, you would write something like: Smith argues, “Doe claimed, ‘The sky is blue,’ which was a surprising assertion.” Then, your Works Cited entry would be for the Smith article, not the original Doe source. The citation informs the reader that you found Doe’s words within Smith’s work.

It’s crucial to be accurate and transparent about where you obtained the information. Always provide the citation for the source you actually consulted, even if that source is quoting someone else. If possible, try to find the original source of the inner quote and cite it directly. This provides the most accurate and complete attribution. If you cannot locate the original source, ensure your citation clearly reflects that you encountered the quote within the secondary source.

What punctuation is used when quoting a quote from an article?

When quoting a quote from an article, you use both double quotation marks to indicate the beginning and end of your overall quote, and single quotation marks to indicate the quote within the quote.

The double quotation marks signify that you are borrowing text directly from the article. Within that borrowed text, if the original author or speaker was themselves quoting someone else, you indicate *that* quote using single quotation marks. This nesting of quotation marks helps the reader understand the different layers of attribution and who is saying what. Consistency is key when incorporating quoted material, so always double-check that the correct punctuation is being used to avoid confusion.

Consider this example: If you are writing about a study reported in a *New York Times* article, and the article quotes the lead researcher saying, “Our findings confirm Smith’s earlier assertion that ’early intervention is crucial’,” you would include the entire quote within double quotation marks, while placing single quotation marks around the researcher’s quote of Smith. This accurately relays that the researcher was referencing Smith’s specific words. Failure to use the correct punctuation can muddy the original source’s intended message and compromise the integrity of your work.

How does the citation format (MLA, APA, etc.) affect quoting a quote?

The citation format dictates how you present quoted material and attribute it to its original source, influencing the punctuation, placement of in-text citations, and the structure of the Works Cited/References entry. While the core principle of accurately representing the original author’s words remains constant, the specific mechanics of integrating and citing the quote change depending on whether you’re using MLA, APA, Chicago, or another style.

The primary differences lie in how you handle parenthetical citations and the formatting of the bibliographic entry. For instance, MLA typically includes the author’s last name and page number within parentheses immediately following the quote (e.g., (Smith 42)), whereas APA includes the author’s last name, year of publication, and page number (e.g., (Smith, 2020, p. 42)). The presence of the year is a key differentiator. Furthermore, the way you present the full citation in your Works Cited or References page will vary significantly, impacting aspects like capitalization, abbreviation of journal titles, and the order of information presented. When quoting a quote (a secondary source quoting a primary source), you’ll need to attribute both the source you consulted and the original source of the quote. Citation styles differ on the preferred method, with some recommending acknowledging both sources within the text or in the citation itself. For example, you might see “As James Baldwin argued, ‘…’ (qtd. in Smith, 2020, p. 42)” in APA, indicating Baldwin is the original source and Smith is the source you read. Ultimately, the specific handbook for your required citation style will provide the most accurate guidelines. Consistency is paramount; adhering strictly to the chosen style’s rules regarding quoting and citation is crucial for academic integrity and clear communication.

Do I need to change the original quote’s punctuation when quoting it?

Generally, you should strive to preserve the original punctuation of a quote exactly as it appears in the source material. However, there are specific, limited situations where alterations to punctuation are permissible or even necessary for clarity and grammatical correctness within your own writing.

When incorporating a quote into your sentence, you might need to make minor punctuation changes to ensure it flows grammatically. For instance, if you’re only using a fragment of a sentence, you might need to change a capital letter to lowercase to integrate it smoothly. Similarly, you might add or change punctuation at the beginning or end of the quote to fit the syntax of your sentence. The key principle is to alter the punctuation only when essential for grammatical integration, and always strive to represent the original author’s intent accurately. If you omit words from within the quote, use ellipses (…) to indicate the omission. One common instance where punctuation adjustments are needed is when using block quotes. If the original sentence ends with a period but the block quote is integrated into your own sentence such that it forms a complete thought, you may omit the period. Conversely, if the block quote is a complete sentence standing alone, the period should remain. Always remember to signal any changes to the quote, such as adding ellipses for omitted words, so your readers know you’ve made alterations. Furthermore, if the original text contains errors in grammar or punctuation, you may indicate this by inserting “[sic]” immediately after the error to show that the error is not your own.

How do I handle errors in the original quote I’m quoting?

When quoting a source that contains errors in grammar, spelling, or fact, you have a few options to accurately represent the original text while acknowledging its flaws. The most common and preferred method is to preserve the error and immediately follow it with “[sic]” in brackets. “Sic” is Latin for “thus” or “so,” indicating that the error appeared exactly as you’ve quoted it in the original source, and is not your own mistake.

If the error significantly hinders comprehension, you can choose to paraphrase the quote instead, ensuring you accurately convey the original meaning. Alternatively, you can correct minor errors silently, but this is generally discouraged because it alters the original text and may misrepresent the author’s intentions. If you choose to silently correct, it is vital to be transparent about this decision in a footnote or endnote, especially in academic writing. However, using “[sic]” is almost always the better approach because it maintains transparency and allows readers to understand the original text’s imperfections without implying your own carelessness. Here’s an example: “The report stated that the results ware [sic] inconclusive.” In this case, “[sic]” after “ware” tells the reader that the misspelling was in the original report, not an error you introduced. If the original source contains a factual error, you can address this in a footnote or in the surrounding text, explaining the inaccuracy and providing the correct information. For instance, you might write: “The author claimed that the war of 1812 began in 1814 [incorrect], but historical records show it actually started in 1812.”

What if the original author didn’t cite their source in the article?

If the original author of an article quotes someone without citing the source, you should attempt to find the original source yourself and cite that. This is the best practice for academic integrity and ensures accuracy. If you can’t find the original source, you should indicate that the quote comes from the author you read, and acknowledge that they did not provide a source.

If you cannot locate the original source despite your best efforts, you need to cite the author and article where you found the quote. You must also make it clear that the original author did not provide a citation. You can do this in a few ways, depending on the citation style you are using. For example, in MLA, you might write something like: “According to Smith, ’the sky is blue’ (as cited in Jones, 2023, p. 25).” This shows that you are aware that Smith is the original speaker, but you found the quote in Jones’s article. This approach is crucial because it transparently communicates that you have not personally verified the original source and are relying on the reporting of another author. It’s important to remember that citing a quote that’s already been quoted by someone else should be a last resort. Always try to track down the original source. Using a “secondary source” citation leaves room for potential errors or misinterpretations introduced by the original author. It also shows a lack of thoroughness in your research. However, if accessing the original source is genuinely impossible, accurately citing the secondary source with clear acknowledgment of its nature is the ethically responsible approach.

Is it better to find the original source instead of quoting a quote?

Yes, it is almost always better to find and quote the original source directly rather than quoting a quote (also known as a secondary source). This practice ensures accuracy, provides proper context, and strengthens the credibility of your work.

Finding the original source allows you to verify the accuracy of the quote. Secondary sources might misinterpret, paraphrase inaccurately, or even quote the original out of context. By going back to the primary source, you can be confident that you are representing the author’s ideas correctly. Furthermore, accessing the original allows you to understand the full argument and context surrounding the quote, leading to a more nuanced and insightful use of the material in your own writing. This deeper understanding strengthens your analysis and avoids the potential for perpetuating misunderstandings. Attributing ideas directly to their originator also enhances your credibility as a researcher. It demonstrates that you have engaged with the core literature on the topic and are not simply relying on secondhand interpretations. Citing the original source gives credit where credit is due and respects the intellectual property of the initial author. While there may be rare occasions where the original source is genuinely inaccessible (e.g., lost historical documents), these situations should be the exception rather than the rule, and you should clearly explain why you are relying on a secondary source in your citation.

And that’s all there is to it! Hopefully, you now feel confident sprinkling those quotes into your writing like a seasoned pro. Thanks for sticking around, and be sure to check back for more helpful tips and tricks to boost your writing skills!