Using supports in your Writing

1. Direct and Indirect References Using supports in your Writing

2. What is the difference between a ‘Direct’ and an ‘Indirect’ reference? Good Question! I am so glad you asked...

3. What are ‘direct’ quotations? • Direct quotations are the exact words of someone else woven into your writing. • Examples: In the novel Jack states that “I am a fool for believing you.” In that interview Jackson said that “we will make the playoffs.”

4. What are ‘indirect’ quotations/references? • Indirect quotes are paraphrases or summaries of the words of someone else worked into the text of your writing • Essentially, indirect quotes carry the meaning of a speaker or writer’s original words without using the exact words Examples In the Novel Jack thought it was a mistake to believe his wife. (A paraphrase of the first direct reference) In the interview Jackson told reporters that they would make the playoffs. (A paraphrase of the second direct reference.)

5. Giving credit where credit is due • Whether you are using a direct or an indirect quotation, you must always give credit to the person whose words you are using. • When you do not give the appropriate credit where it is due, you are plagiarizing.

6. Shifting between the two types • When incorporating quotations, it is okay to use a mix of both direct and indirect quotes. In fact, it is even advised to do so. Using all direct quotes or all indirect quotes can create bland, repetitive content. Variety always makes your content more engaging

7. Overusing quotations • You need to support your ideas with references. • But...Writing is about conveying your own thoughts, ideas, knowledge. When you use too many words from the mouths of others, it is no longer your own work. • Strive to incorporate only those quotes, both direct and indirect, that strengthen, back up or demonstrate an idea or thought.

8. Introduce your quotations/references • A quotation should never suddenly appear out of nowhere. Some kind of information about the quotation is needed. Name the author, give his credentials, name the source, give a summary. You won't do all of these each time, but you should usually name the author, the speaker, or the character you are referencing.

9. An introductory phrase may sometimes be best. For example: In the words of Fisher, "Art is a mirror of belief" (342). As Ted Fisher has remarked, "Life imitates art." As Fisher reminds us, "Monkey see, monkey do."

10. Discuss your quotations/references • Do not quote someone and then leave the words hanging as if they were self explanatory. What does the quotation mean and how does it help establish the point you are making? What is your interpretation or opinion of it? • Quotations are like examples: discuss them to show how they fit in with your thesis and with the ideas you are presenting. • Remember: quotations support or illustrate your own points. They are not substitutes for your ideas and they do not stand by themselves.

11. It is often useful to apply some interpretive phrasing after a quotation, to show the reader that the you are explaining the quotation and that it supports your argument. Examples: • Here we see that • This statement shows • Clearly, then, • We can conclude from this that

12. Use some variety in introducing quotations. • Pick the quotation verb which seems in each case to fit your purpose most exactly. For example: In this essay Green tells us, "Hope increases courage."

13. Note that the particular verb you choose helps orient your reader toward your opinion of the statement. "Jones says" is neutral; "Jones informs us" is positive, "Jones alleges" is somewhat negative. Other verbs to choose from include: says writes observes notes remarks adds declares informs us alleges claims states comments thinks affirms asserts explains argues

14. Sometimes you might want to use a colon introduction. For example: Williams offers this explanation: "Deep thinkers talk little." Or Williams • is more enlightening: • prefers a different argument: • discerns this point: • distinguishes between the two: • reminds us of his youth: • believes we should talk less:

15. Sometimes you might want to begin your quotation in the middle of the writer's sentence • For example, Joe's Text: I live in the country where life is slow and soft. Your quotation: Joe believes that "life is slow and soft" in the country (Living Easy 288). •  Or, Billy’s Text: Sally, I love the delicious metaphors you make. Your quotation: Billy tells Sally that he loves "the delicious metaphors" she makes (433). • (Note: for embedded phrases like these, do not use ellipsis dots on either side.)

16. Sometimes leave out some words • to condense the quotation. Mid-sentence ellipses use three spaced, bracketed dots. • Example text: The surf on the beach at Mazatlan beat against the shore. Your quotation: Smith says of his wave watching, "The surf [. . .] beat against the shore" (Jones 788). • Ellipses at the end of sentence use three spaced, bracketed dots and then a period. Example text: Rule 5 says, "Sometimes you will want to leave out some words [. . .]."

17. Quoting Single Words • • A single word borrowed from the text can effectively uphold a claim. Take the following example: In the first chapter, Sheila is characterized as inescapably obnoxious. The author writes that she “brays” at Mr. Martin and “barks” orders (77). • The quoted words give credit or prove the fact of the first statement.

18. Quoting Phrases • Quoted phrases should be integrated smoothly into the sentence structure: Tia’s mixture of vanity and insecurity becomes clear when she “craned her neck to glance into mirrors, or checked other people’s faces to make sure her own was all right” (345). • The quoted phrase supports the initial observation of Tia’s vanity and insecurity. Note that no • comma is required to separate the writer’s words from the quote.

19. What Using Quotes Effectively Means • Readers should be able to move from your words to the words you quote smoothly, without a “jolt.” • Avoid dropping quotations into the text without warning; instead provide clear signal phrases, usually including the author’s name. • When the signal phrase contains a verb, choose one that is appropriate to the context: is your source arguing a point, making an observation, reporting a fact, drawing a conclusion, refuting an argument, stating a belief?

20. Models • Direct quote – transition - Direct quote • Direct quote – Transition - Indirect Reference • Indirect Reference – Transition - Indirect Reference • Indirect Reference – Transition - direct quote