In academic writing, any claim you make should be backed up by reliable evidence (i.e. examples and data) to give authority to your writing, and enable the reader to evaluate your assertions based on the research details you have provided. You can do this by quoting or paraphrasing from sources.
When and how to use quotations
Quotations are useful when you want to define specific concepts, or to emphasise or make an impact. They are often used in Humanities and Social Sciences but used less in Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine (STEM) subjects.
| Reason to quote | Example |
|---|---|
| Definitions, rules, or laws | Serious games can be defined as “games that do not have entertainment, enjoyment or fun as their primary purpose” (Michael & Chen, 2005). |
| Famous sayings | “Revolutions are the locomotives of history” (Marx, 1850, cited in Smith, 2012). |
| Distancing yourself from the ideas of others | Brown (2021) called the work “fiendish”. |
They are usually short (one word, two words, a short phrase, a sentence, a pair of sentences) and should be used sparingly. They must also ‘fit’ correctly with the logical flow of information that comes before and afterwards. Make sure you understand what a quote is saying in its context and explain its meaning in your work. They should always back up your argument and not just ‘look good’ or sound impressive.
Establishing your own stance / position
In some cases, quotations can be presented as a block of text, separated from the previous text by a double line space. This can help to inform the reader of the writer’s own stance or position.
Important advice
Construct your writing structure plan before you choose your quotes. Otherwise, your quotes will dictate your writing.
Checklist
Once you have finished writing, ask yourself the following questions to assess whether you have used quotations effectively.
- Are your quotations short?
- Do your quotes define a specific concept, or emphasise or make an impact?
- Do your quotes ‘fit’ correctly with the logical flow of information?
- Have you used quotations as evidence to back up your claims?
- Have you used quotations only for effect?
- Have you used too many quotations in your work?
Next steps
- Consult our Study Skills Guides including: Paraphrasing information from Sources and Using Reporting Verbs.
- Attend our interactive Study Skills Workshops
Not feeling confident yet?
Don’t worry! Email studyskills@abertay.ac.uk. We are here to help!
Last modified by Student and Academic Services