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Quotation marks

Quoting in academic writing is signaled by using single quotation marks and a citation (a.k.a. reference) to the source.

According to Jones (1997), the causes of illiteracy are ‘closely related' to poverty.
Quote: ‘closely related'

It is useful to draw a distinction between integral quotations, which occur as part of the running text, and nonintegral quotations, which are presented separately.

Integral quotations

You should use the integral option when the quotation is shorter than three lines and the non-integrated option when the quotation is three lines or longer. Integrated quotations are surrounded by single quotation marks, and may be introduced by formulas such as the following:

This approach is in line with Bennett's (1988: 194) claim that '[quotation]'.

Vendler (1969: 109) observes that '[quotation]'.

If the quote in its turn contains yet other quotes, use double inverted commas for the "inner" quotations.

According to Hannay & Mackenzie (2002), Geertz is ‘presenting a common anthropological view when he comments that culture is an "interwoven system" of construable signs,' but in their opinion there may be other elements complicating the issue.

Nonintegral quotations

Nonintegral quotations are presented without quotation marks, indented, optionally in a smaller type-face, and both preceded and followed by a blank line. The introductory text often closes with a colon, as in:

Botha points to a new trend in grammatical argumentation, one described by Lakoff (1968: 24) in the following terms:

Due to the nature of the definition of deep structure, one can provide arguments for the identity of deep structures without proposing what these deep structures are and without proposing any transformational derivations. This type of argument differs considerably from the type of argument that has been used in transformational research so far.

The fact that the new approach outlined by Lakoff has now become almost standard practice indicates the importance of Botha's comments.

Other punctuation with quotation marks - inverted commas

  • the full stop and comma are always placed before the quota­tion mark.
Vendler (1969: 109) observes that '[quotation],' but this view is perhaps somehwat controversial. 
  • colons and semicolons are always placed after the quotation mark.
The patient said her childhood was 'disturbed': she had been deprived of most normal experiences.