Pointing out that readers can only read what is actually present in a particular text is illustrative, but this assertion can be omitted without changing the meaning of the passage.Ī Word of Caution: Never present a quote in a way that could cause a reader to misunderstand the original quote (80-81). If something informed the author’s creation of the text but the evidence is notĮxplanation: Foster’s main point is that readers of literature should concern themselves with the evidence in the text. Quote with Omission: In How to Read Literature Like a Professor, Thomas Foster emphasizes the importance of focusing on textual evidence: “I know I have said this before and will say it again, but it bears repeating: if it’s not in the text, it doesn’t exist. If something informed the author’s creation of the text but the evidence is not present in the text, that’s a matter for scholars concerned with motives, not with readers wrestling with meaning” (80).
We can only read what is present in a novel, play, or film.
Original: “I know I have said this before and will say it again, but it bears repeating: if it’s not in the text, it doesn’t exist. Follow this rule for a quotation with an ellipses at the end as well, except when a parenthetical citation follows the ellipses. In other words, use four periods, with no space before the first or after the last. If you omit an entire sentence, use ellipses points, and retain rules for end punctuation (always place a period at the end of a declarative sentence). Adhere to the following guidelines.Īccording to the MLA Handbook, if you must omit a word, phrase, or sentence from a quoted passage, mark the omission with ellipsis points (. The rules for quoting prose vary according to how much you quote. Additionally, introducing the quote with a signal phrase helps you smoothly incorporate the quotation (“Quotations” 75). Unless you use brackets or parentheses (see below), changes to the source’s words, spelling, capitalization, or punctuation cannot be made. If you decide to quote a source in order to support your thesis statement, reproduce the source word for word. Writers must always accurately quote the source. Consult the MLA Handbook to review additional topics and learn more. It also addresses a few special issues, like what to do if there is a spelling error in a quote, as well as how to handle punctuation. This article discusses rules for quoting both prose and quotes within quotes. The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides guidelines/rules for quoting: Although misquoting or quoting too much can confuse or overwhelm your audience, quoting relevant and unique words, phrases, sentences, lines, or passages can help you achieve your purpose. Quotations are effective in academic writing when used carefully and selectively.
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