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Introducing Quotations

Any time a quotation is used in an essay or in a research paper, the quotation must be introduced. This means that the quote does not start the sentence, but instead has some of your words to explain where the quote comes from or to give context. There are several different ways to introduce a quotation, but you should not use only one. Reusing the same method over and over throughout the paper will be repetitive and bland and may be counted off for by an instructor. Instead, try to use a variety of the various methods of introducing quotes.

Different Ways to Introduce Quotes

1) Begin a sentence with your words and use a quote to complete your thought.

For example: George Orwell adds drama to Animal Farm by “creating a snowballing chain of violence and treachery” (Snodgrass 36).

Because both Darl and Vernon confirm Anse’s backstory, the reader “may regard their joint testimony as proof that Anse does not sweat in a normal fashion for the climate in which he lives” (Rippetoe 313).

2) Use a dialogue tag to introduce the quote.

For example: The narrator explains, “The policemen’s mind refused to accept Soapy even as a clue. Men who smash windows do not remain to parley with the law’s minions” (Henry 719).

As one critic says, “Emerson put forth a radical philosophy of optimism and individualism that galvanized the transcendentalist movement and served to define the possibilities for American culture and character” (Branch).

Constance Pierce states that Sarty soon “rejects the ‘old blood’ that he has not chosen for what seems to him a higher concept of fairness, and he longs to be free of his family and the turmoil it generates in his life” (861). Notice that when the author or critic’s name is used to introduce the quote their last name is left out of the citation and only the page number is included.

3) Use a complete sentence of your own words, followed by a colon, followed by a quote that is also a complete sentence that helps you make your point.

For example: Lars Bernaerts maintains that McMurphy’s behavior is not so different from Nurse Ratched’s: “Granted, his directives are oriented toward change instead of preservation, which is the nurse’s political objective, but both of them manipulate the other patients” (287).

You should not limit yourself to “_____ says” or “_____ states,” however.

The table on the reverse side of this page provides more descriptive verbs to consider using in place of “says” or “states” when introducing quotes with dialogue tags.

Source: http://prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/WC/TIPSHEETS_new/TIPSHEET_Introquotes_new/Introducing%20Quotes.pdf

3) Use a complete sentence of your own words, followed by a colon, followed by a quote that is also a complete sentence that helps you make your point.

For example: Lars Bernaerts maintains that McMurphy’s behavior is not so different from Nurse Ratched’s: “Granted, his directives are oriented toward change instead of preservation, which is the nurse’s political objective, but both of them manipulate the other patients” (287).