A direct quotation is a report of the exact words of an author or speaker and is placed inside quotation marksin a written work. For example, Dr. King said, "I have a dream."
Comparing Types of Quotations
Direct quotations are commonly introduced by a signal phrase (also called a quotative frame), such as Dr. King said or Abigail Adams wrote, and are used in written and audio or visual media, especially if an anchor or reporter is giving someone's exact words without having a recording of the person actually saying it. For example, a newscaster would say, "Dr. King said, and I quote, 'I have a dream' unquote."
By contrast, indirect quotations may also have signal phrases leading into them, but the words are not what the person said or wrote word for word, just a paraphrase or a summary of what the words were, such as, At the March on Washington, Dr. King spoke of the dreams that he had for the nation.
Amixed quotationis an indirect quotation that includes a directly quoted expression (in many cases just a single word or brief phrase):Kingmelodiously praised the "veterans ofcreative suffering," urging them to continue the struggle.
When you have a long direct quotation in a written work, more than 60 or 100 words or more than four or five lines, instead of using quotation marks around it, you may be told by your style guide or assignment parameters to set it off with indents on either side and to put the text in italics or make some other typographical change. This is a block quotation. (See the long quote in the next section for an example, though this site's style is to retain quote marks, even around block quotes.)
When to Use Direct Quotes
When you're writing, use direct quotes sparingly, because the essay or article is supposed to be your original work. Use them for emphasis when the reader needs to see the exact words for analysisand evidence or when the exact quote encapsulates the topic at hand more succinctly or better than you could.
Author Becky Reed Rosenberg discusses using direct quotes when writing in the sciences versus the humanities.
"In the first place, the general convention in the sciences and social sciences is that we usedirect quotationsas little as possible. Whenever possible,paraphraseyour source. The exception is when the source is so eloquent or so peculiar that you really need to share the original language with your readers. (In the humanities, direct quoting is more important—certainly where you are talking about a literary source. There the original languageISthe object of study very often.)" ("Using Direct Quotation." Writing Center at the University of Washington, Bothell)
In news writing, don't be tempted to correct grammar or other errors when you're directly quoting your source—though you would want to comment in your text about factual errors the speaker made at the time of the statement. You can use ellipses to cut some things out of a direct quote, but even that should be done sparingly. In news, accuracy and proper context are paramount, and you don't want to look like you're doctoring the source's words.
In essays and reports, anytime you use someone else's ideas in your work, either by direct or indirect quotations, that person needs attribution orcredit, or else you are committing plagiarism.
FAQs
A direct quotation is a report of the exact words of an author or speaker and is placed inside quotation marks in a written work. For example, Dr. King said, "I have a dream."
What is the difference between quotation and direct quotation? ›
The noun quotation refers to a group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated by someone other than the original author or speaker. A direct quotation is a report of the exact words of an author or speaker. Direct quotations are placed inside quotation marks.
What is a direct quote in MLA? ›
When you quote directly from a source, enclose the quoted section in quotation marks. Add an in-text citation at the end of the quote with the author name and page number, like this: "Here's a direct quote" (Smith 8). "Here's a direct quote" ("Trouble" 22).
What is the direct quotation method? ›
A direct quote is a currency pair quote where the foreign currency is expressed in per-unit terms of the domestic currency. A direct quote gives you the quantity of local currency needed to purchase one unit of foreign currency.
How to make a direct quotation? ›
You'll often use direct quotes in the middle of a paragraph. Use double quotation marks at the beginning and end of the quote, use the exact words from the original text and show your source, or your work being could be considered as plagiarism.
What are examples of quotations? ›
Direct quotations involve taking someone else's exact words or statements and incorporating the quote into your writing. sentence. Example: My sister said, “I need to do my homework.” If the quoted material is a fragment or a phrase, do not capitalize the first letter.
What is sentence direct quotations? ›
A direct quotation is when you take another person's words and place them in your own document. These must always be placed inside quotation marks and given appropriate attribution (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc).
When would you use a direct quote? ›
You should use direct quotes when: The meaning of the original statement will be lost if you reword it. The original statement uses especially strong or vivid language. You are quoting an original term or phrase.
What contains a direct quotation? ›
The chief use of quotation marks is quite easy to understand: a pair of quotation marks encloses a direct quotation — that is, a repetition of someone's exact words. Here are some examples: President Kennedy famously exclaimed "Ich bin ein Berliner!" Madonna is fond of declaring "I'm not ashamed of anything."
What is a direct quote or citation? ›
For a direct quotation, always include a full citation (parenthetical or narrative) in the same sentence as the quotation, including the page number (or other location information, e.g., paragraph number). Place a parenthetical citation either immediately after the quotation or at the end of the sentence.
For every in-text citation in your paper, there must be a corresponding entry in your reference list. APA in-text citation style uses the author's last name and the year of publication, for example: (Field, 2005). For direct quotations, include the page number as well, for example: (Field, 2005, p. 14).
How do I quote a quote in an essay? ›
Quotations within a Quotation
Use single quotation marks to enclose quotes within another quotation. The reporter told me, "When I interviewed the quarterback, he said they simply 'played a better game. '"
What are examples of a direct quote? ›
Examples
- The author said, “I need to sell more books to make my quota!” OPENING QUOTATION MARKS.
- “The problem is,” the author stated, “that no one has money anymore to buy books.” CLOSING QUOTATIONS.
Include an explanation for why you are using direct quotations in a paper. To increase readability or flow, you may include a linking sentence or phrase that introduces the quote, an author identification (within the text or a parenthetical citation), and an explanatory or interpretative sentence.
What is a short direct quotation? ›
A short direct quotation contains fewer than 40 words from the original source. You must put a double set of “quotation marks” around any words that you use from your source, and the quoted material must be exactly the same as the original.
What is an example of a direct and indirect quote? ›
In writing a narrative essay, for example, you might recount a time your mother gave you advice by using a direct quotation, like so: Mom said, “Always brush your teeth before bed.” Or you could use an indirect quotation, like so: Mom said that I should always brush my teeth before bed.
What is an example of a direct speech quote? ›
Examples: She said, "I am tired." "I am," he said, "very hungry." "Let's go to the park," suggested Tim.
What is a sentence that contains a direct quotation? ›
Be sure to provide the source information. Example of a direct quotation: The professor emphasizes, “Your essays must be submitted on time” (22).
Can a direct quote be a sentence? ›
Direct quotations involve incorporating another person's exact words into your own writing. Quotation marks always come in pairs. Do not open a quotation and fail to close it at the end of the quoted material. Capitalize the first letter of a direct quote when the quoted material is a complete sentence.
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