Citing a quote means providing information about the source of a specific quotation or phrase that you are using in your writing. This helps to give credit to the original author and allows readers to easily locate the source for themselves if they want to read more about the topic.
There are several different ways to cite a quote, depending on the citation style that you are using. In this essay, we will focus on two common citation styles: the Modern Language Association (MLA) style and the American Psychological Association (APA) style.
In MLA style, quotes are usually cited using a parenthetical citation. This means that the quote is included in your text, and the source information is provided in parentheses immediately after the quote. For example, if you were quoting a sentence from a book written by John Smith, you might write:
"The sky was a deep blue, almost purple in color" (Smith 23).
In this example, "Smith" is the last name of the author, and "23" is the page number where the quote can be found in the book.
In APA style, quotes are also cited using a parenthetical citation, but the format is slightly different. In APA style, the author's last name is followed by the year of publication and the page number, like this:
"The sky was a deep blue, almost purple in color" (Smith, 2020, p. 23).
It's important to note that in both MLA and APA style, the source information provided in the parenthetical citation should match the information listed in your works cited or reference page. This is a list of all of the sources that you have used in your paper, and it is usually placed at the end of the document.
Citing quotes is an important part of academic writing because it helps to establish credibility and show that you are engaging with the ideas of others in your field. It also allows readers to easily locate the source material for themselves if they want to read more about a specific topic. By following the proper citation guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is accurate and well-referenced.