Integrating Quotations
Quotations MUST be introduced!
When quotation integration is not done properly, an instructor might refer to the error as a "floating quotation,"
a quotation that lacks an introduction, a "stand-alone quotation," or a "dropped quotation." This excerpt from a
paragraph shows a quotation that has not been introduced:
Incorrect
The common illnesses and complaints of the day show that many other women focused that unhappiness
inward, to the point of making themselves ill, or appear ill. "Women during this time were deemed to be highly
susceptible to becoming mentally ill as they did not have the mental capacity of men, and this risk grew greatly
if the woman attempted to better herself through education or too many activities" (Frick). Disorders such as
dyspepsia, brain fever, and "the vapors" were applied mostly to women, or, in some cases, exclusively to
women.
Notice how the quotation begins and ends as completely its own sentence with no words from the paragraph's
author to integrate it smoothly. Without an introduction, the quotation does not fit smoothly into the rest of the
language. The fact that the quotation is cited is not enough; the quotation must be introduced. The underlined
portion of the same paragraph below shows the quotation correctly introduced.
Correct
The common illnesses and complaints of the day show that many other women focused that unhappiness
inward, to the point of making themselves ill, or appear ill. According to one historian, "Women during this
time were deemed to be highly susceptible to becoming mentally ill as they did not have the mental capacity
of men, and this risk grew greatly if the woman attempted to better herself through education or too many
activities" (Frick). Disorders such as dyspepsia, brain fever, and "the vapors" were applied mostly to women,
or, in some cases, exclusively to women.
Methods for Introducing a Quotation
Method One—Use an introductory phrase and a comma to introduce a quotation.
With this method, the quotation is usually a complete sentence; be sure to capitalize the first word of the quote.
The best introductory phrases will use verbs, as in "Wilson writes" or "Wilson insists." An introductory phrase
without a verb, like "For example," does not always integrate smoothly.
Nonfiction Examples
 According to Smith, "Writing is fun" (215).
 In Smith's words, " . . .
 In Smith's view, " . . .
 Smith states, "This book is terrific" (102).
 Smith remarks, " . . .
 Smith writes, " . . .
 Smith notes, " . . .
 Smith comments, " . . .
 Smith observes, " . . .
 Smith concludes, " . . .
 Smith reports, " . . .
 Smith maintains, " . . .
 Smith adds, " . . .
If your lead-in to the quotation ends in that or as, do not follow it with a comma. The first letter of the
quotation should be lower case.
 Smith points out that "millions of students would like to burn this book" (53).
 Smith argues that " . . .
 Smith emphasizes that " . . .
 Smith interprets the hand washing in MacBeth as "an attempt at absolution" (106).
 Smith describes the novel as "a celebration of human experience" (233).
Fiction Examples
 Brett says, "He wanted me to grow my hair out. Me, with long hair. I'd look so like hell" (Hemingway 246).
 When Jake asks her about living together, Brett replies, "I don't think so. I'd just tromper [cheat on] you with
everybody. You couldn't stand it" (Hemingway 62).
Method Two—Use a complete sentence plus a colon to introduce a quotation.
With this method, the quotation is usually a complete sentence; be sure to capitalize the first word of the quote.
Nonfiction Examples
 Franklin Delano Roosevelt states the following in his speech: “As Commander in Chief of the Army and
Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember
the character of the onslaught against us” (“American Rhetoric”).
 Samuel Marks makes the following point when he writes about student dress codes: “It is unacceptable for
students to be forced to wear uncomfortable clothing, as it makes the learning process that much more
difficult.”
Fiction Examples
 Jake's first description of Brett Ashley shows her to embody the boyish sensuality of the 1920s: "Brett was
damn good-looking. She wore a slipover jersey sweater and a tweed skirt, and her hair was brushed back like
a boy's" (Hemingway 30).
 Brett reveals to Jake that she rejected the bullfighter because she could predict his controlling tendencies: "He
really wanted to marry me. So I couldn't go away from him, he said. He wanted to make it sure I could never
go away from him" (Hemingway 246).
 Piercy ends the poem on an ironic note: "To every woman a happy ending" (25).
Method Three—Make a short part of the quotation a part of your own sentence.
When you integrate a short part of a quotation into your own sentence, punctuate as you would any other
sentence. There is no special punctuation required. Sometimes, the word "that" will help the sentence sound
smoother.
Nonfiction Examples
 If one does not understand the rules of punctuation, he or she may believe that “semi-colons are confusing”
(“Grammar Rules”).
 According to Foulkes's study, dreams may express "profound aspects of personality" (184).
 According to some, dreams express "profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184), though others disagree.
 Is it possible that dreams may express "profound aspects of personality" (Foulkes 184)?
Fiction Examples
 Although she is often asking Jake for money, Lady Brett Ashley has a title and is "of very good
family" (Hemingway 59).
 Hamlet's task is to avenge a "foul and most unnatural murder" (Shakespeare 925).
 The speaker is mystified by her sleeping baby, whose "moth-breath / flickers among the flat pink roses" (Plath
17).
 Jake notes that "Brett was damn good-looking" (Hemingway 30).
Adding or Omitting Words in Quotations
If you add a word or words in a quotation, you should put brackets around the words to indicate that they are
not part of the original text.
 Jan Harold Brunvand, in an essay on urban legends, states, "some individuals [who retell urban legends]
make a point of learning every rumor or tale" (78).
If you omit a word or words from a quotation, you should indicate the deleted word or words by using ellipsis
marks, which are three periods ( . . . ) preceded and followed by a space.
 In an essay on urban legends, Jan Harold Brunvand notes that "some individuals make a point of learning
every recent rumor or tale . . . and in a short time a lively exchange of details occurs" (78).
Long Quotations
For quotations that extend to more than four lines of prose (TYPED REGULAR AT FIRST), place
quotations in a free-standing block of text and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the
entire quote indented one inch from the left margin; maintain double-spacing. Only indent the first line of the
quotation by a half inch if you are citing multiple paragraphs. Your parenthetical citation should come after the
closing punctuation mark. When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. (You should maintain doublespacing throughout your essay.) For example:
Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and dehumanizes him throughout her narration:
They entirely refused to have it in bed with them, or even in their room, and I had no more sense,
so, I put it on the landing of the stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow. By chance, or
else attracted by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr. Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on
quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to how it got there; I was obliged to confess, and
in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity was sent out of the house. (Bronte 78)