Quoting

Consider quoting when the reader needs to see the source's exact wording, for example:

• a definition that you need to discuss or apply
• words or phrases that you are analysing closely
• a distinctive or significant statement that you need to evaluate, challenge or respond to
• wording from a primary source, such as legislation, a judgment, an interview or a historical document, when the language itself is relevant

If you need the underlying idea rather than the exact words, paraphrasing will usually fit more naturally into your own writing and demonstrate your understanding.

See Paraphrasing if you do not need to preserve the source's wording.

There is no single correct number of quotations for an assessment. Use varies between subjects and assessment types. Ask whether the reader needs each quotation and whether you have explained what it contributes.

A useful approach is to:

1. Make your point. Establish what you are trying to explain or argue.

2. Introduce the quotation. Identify the author or source where this helps the reader and use an accurate reporting verb where appropriate.

3. Quote and cite. Reproduce the relevant words accurately, make their boundaries clear and acknowledge the source.

4. Explain the quotation. Interpret, evaluate or connect it to your point so that the reader understands why it matters.

Constructed example

The following example uses placeholder citation details rather than a published source:

See Integrating information from sources and Reporting verbs for further guidance.

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Copy the source accurately, including its spelling and punctuation, and do not change its meaning or remove important context, unless you need to shorten a quotation, add a clarification or show that an error appeared in the original. Common conventions include:

• Ellipsis (...): shows that words have been omitted
• Square brackets [ ]: show words or clarification that you have added
• [sic]: shows that an error appeared in the original source

Use these conventions only when needed and make sure the altered quotation still represents the source fairly. Follow the exact conventions required by your referencing style.

If wording is outdated or offensive, quote it only when the exact words are relevant. Introduce and contextualise the wording so that its purpose is clear. Paraphrase instead if the exact wording is not needed.

See the Referencing guide for access to Cite Them Right Online and detailed style examples.

See Avoiding plagiarism for guidance on distinguishing your own words from source material.

Short quotations can usually be incorporated into your own sentence and identified using quotation marks.

Longer quotations may need to be presented as a separate indented paragraph rather than within quotation marks. This is sometimes called a block quotation.

The length threshold, quotation marks and indentation rules vary between referencing styles. The principles on this page apply across subjects, including Law, but Harvard, APA and OSCOLA do not use identical presentation and citation conventions. Follow Cite Them Right Online for your required style.

Only quote AI-generated content if your assessment permits AI use and the exact output is itself relevant, for example when you are analysing an AI response. Follow your assessment brief and keep a record of the prompt and response.

Do not treat an AI-generated quotation as evidence that a factual claim is accurate. Check the claim against reliable sources and cite those sources. Acknowledge your use of AI where required.

See Acknowledging AI use for the University's guidance.

When reviewing your work, ask yourself:

• Does the reader need to see the exact words?
• Would paraphrasing work better here?
• Have I reproduced the quotation accurately and made its boundaries clear?
• Have I introduced and explained the quotation where necessary?
• Have I shown how it contributes to my point or argument?
• Have I cited it and included an appropriate pinpoint where required?
• Have I followed the presentation requirements of my referencing style?
• If I quoted AI-generated content, was this permitted and have I acknowledged it as required?