Quoting InstructionsResearch Process

Rule #1

Anytime you copy something from

another text word for word, it must be put

in quotes.

If it is already in quotes, use 3 quotes

marks; if not, use 2.

Rule #2

Quotes MUST have a lead in.

YOU MAY NOT just drop a quote into your

paper without your words linking it to the

text as well.

There are 3 types of lead-ins.

Somebody says:

Benton says, ‘“This is unbelievable’”

(Cornwell 100).

Notice there are 3 quote marks because

this was already in quotes.

Blended

The novel begins "inside the virtual-reality theater [where] thereare

twelve of Italy’s most powerful law enforcers and politicians, whose

names, in the main, forensic pathologist Kay Scarpetta can’t keep

straight” (Cornwell 9).

Notice there are only 2 quote marks used because this passage was

not already in quotes. Brackets are used to show a word is inserted

that was not in the original.

Sentence

The first murder is described: “Nine days ago,American tennis star Drew Martin wasmurdered while on vacation, her . . . body foundnear Piazza Navona, in the heart of Rome’s historicdistrict” (Cornwell 9). THREE ELLEPSIS ARE USED TO SHOW WORDS ARE

OMITTED.4 SHOW SENTENCES OR PARAGRAHS ARE

OMITTED.

Rule #3

Always use internal documentation to show where the passage originated; use the author’s last name and the page number in parenthesis. (Cornwell 9).

If you are using a web resource, use the

author's last name and N.p. for no pagination.

Also, if the author is not shown, use a shortened version of the article title.

Block Quotes

If you use a quote that takes up 4 lines or more in YOUR PAPER, you must block it.

Indent 10 spaces from the left (tab twice). DO NOT use quote marks unless they are

in the original text.Place the period BEFORE the internal

documentation (author’s last name and page number).

Block Quote Example

The lab is described in detail:

Inside her lab of old brick walls and fir-

wood flooring is her computer domain,

which is secured from outside world by

bullet-and and hurricane-proof windows, the

shades always drawn. Lucy sits before a

work station that is connected to a sixty- four-

gigabite server with a chassis built of 6 U

unmountable racks. (Cornwell 93)

Rule of Thumb

Is it common knowledge?

If yes, then don’t document it.

If no, then document it.