What Is A Quotation In Writing?
In writing, a quotation means the repetition of a sentence, phrase, or statement from a source such as a book, news, person, or speech presented to imply the exact meaning. It is a format of writing to use others’ ideas and languages in your style to support or strengthen an argument or provide evidence. There are two types of quotation in writing: direct and indirect.
What Is A Direct Quotation?
Direct quotation is the exact representation of words and statements by a source without any changes to it. To maintain authenticity, its tense or grammatical structure is not changed.
What Is Indirect Quotation?
Indirect quotation is the reporting of what someone stated or wrote, but not in that person’s exact words. It is also called reported speech. It is similar to paraphrasing; however, it only changes a few words to make the same sense and make it grammatically accurate. As the statement is not the same as it was said or written, indirect quotations do not have quotation marks.
Introduction to Indirect Quotation
Indirect quotation helps you understand the meaning and intent of another writer or speaker without direct involvement with them. This lets you adjust that quote into your story or narrative, both in terms of style and grammar.
How To Analyze If A Quote Is Direct Or Indirect?
Once you understand the types of quotations, it becomes easy to understand the differences between the two:
Direct Vs Indirect Quotation Key Differences:
| Direct quotation | Indirect quotation |
| Uses the same words as the source. | May change words to fit in the language flow and tone of the content. |
| Important to use the quote in quotation marks (“”) | No need for quotation marks. |
| The source should always be mentioned. | The source should always be mentioned. |
| Used when the original quote holds weight or is unique and impactful. | Used when you want to simplify or summarize without affecting the flow. |
| Tense and grammar stay the same as the original quote in every case. | May change pronouns, tense, and grammatical structures to align the statement with the sentence. |
| Ex: Ashni said, “She needs to see the doctor today.” | Ex: Ashni said that she needed to see the doctor today. |
How to Form Indirect Quotations
Forming an indirect quotation requires transforming the statement or speech into our own language or words. It may change the pronouns, tenses, or place as per our sentence’s requirement. To create an indirect quotation, that we need to:
- Remove quotation marks.
- Add a reporting verb along with “that”.
- Change pronouns to show the speaker’s perspective.
- Change tenses as suited in the sentence.
Examples of Indirect Quotation
See this example to gain a better understanding of indirect quotation.
- Direct: “I am going to the mall,” Amrita said.
Indirect: Amrita said that she was going to the mall.
- Direct: “I will be moving to London next month,” said Aditya.
Indirect: Aditya said that he would be moving to London the following month.
Benefits of Using Indirect Quotation
Indirect quotation works as a tool that enhances your writing skills by:
- It is providing you the freedom to convey ideas, statements, and thoughts in our own way.
- It is for the indirect quotations to build a flow and coherence.
- It provides clarity of the original statement, making it easy to understand for the audience.
- It is for changing the quote into your language emphasizes your writing skills.
- It is for Changing the verbs and pronouns makes the statement sound engaging and creative.
Indirect Quotation in Academic Writing
Using indirect quotations is a powerful skill in academic writing. It allows you to leverage others’ statements and ideas into your sentences or arguments. Additionally, using indirect quotations also reflects your deep understanding of the topic. Why is indirect quotation important in academic writing?
Using indirect quotation helps in the following:
It shows that you understand the original concept and are rephrasing it to align with your sentence.
- Indirect quotations let you knit source material into your very own sentence without affecting the flow of your writing.
- When weaving ideas or statements into your own words, you reflect a unique academic style and voice through your content. It ensures that your voice isn’t suppressed by the sources.
- Indirect quoting removes the long passages and allows you to write simply and briefly.
Conclusion
Indirect quotations are a form of writing that provides a flexible and convenient manner to quote another person’s statement or words. It breaks the complex and long content into short and simplified sentences. Indirect quotations hold strong value in academic writing as they balance a flow and offer the freedom to use the words of your choice. Ensure to always mention the source when you convert any passage into an indirect quotation and give them credit for the idea or statement. One can use it to show deep understanding and a strong hold on writing and understanding of the topic. It also allows you to convey your message more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do indirect quotations require quotation marks?
No, Indirect quotations do not require quotation marks. The statement is connected with a reporting verb and “That”.
Q2. When should I use indirect quotations in writing?
You should use indirect quotations in writing to appear more professional and showcase effective academic writing.
Q3. Can I change the tense in an indirect quotation?
Yes, you can change the tense in an indirect quotation to fit into the sentence. You may also change the verb forms and places to make it sound grammatically correct.
Q4. Are indirect quotations considered plagiarism?
Plagiarism means presenting someone else’s idea under your name without giving any credit. In simplified language, it is the stealing of ideas and making them look like your own. Indirect quotations have nothing to do with plagiarism. If you did not cite the source properly, your content may be detected as plagiarized.
Q5. Can I use both direct and indirect quotations in the same text?
Yes, you can use both direct and indirect quotations in the same text. Moreover, using both direct and indirect quotations in the same text will be paramount to your academic and professional writing.