Quotation marks are used to indicate a direct quotation of material from another source. A quotation is whenever you use someone else’s words, whether the words are spoken or written. Double quotation marks are used to quote a source, and single quotation marks are used to indicate that the source is quoting another source.

Example 1:

According to Jones, Long “was not just irate, he was livid. He called the man a ‘scoundrel, a no good scoundrel’ and has since had nothing to do with him.”

Here, double quotation marks indicate the material from Long and single quotation marks indicate what he quotes Collins saying.

Example 2:

For example, a current psychologist states that as an accommodation for children with ADHD “we must make sure that students have the opportunity to reduce pent up energies, in association with Smith’s theory that ‘the mind requires regular exercise to maintain focus and attention’ (p. 236), to ensure they learn” (as cited in Ridgeway, 2003, p. 254).

Ridgeway (double quotation marks) is quoting Smith’s written words (single quotation marks).  Note: This example uses APA style. MLA would use “(qtd. in Ridgeway 54).”

The online Guide to Grammar and Style has some interesting things to say about single quotation marks at http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/s.html (Note: Look for the header “Single Quote Marks).  Wilbers.com offers some great insight on using both single and double quotation marks at http://www.wilbers.com/quotes.htm.

 Use the following to test your skill by inserting single or double quotation marks if needed:

1. According to Carson (2006), Albert Einstein was one of the greatest supporters of imagination. It was he that coined the phrase imagination is greater that knowledge (p.93).

2. She finished by saying, When Gomer says the words carpe diem, take your leave on stage right.

3. West (2005) writes that Martin Luther King Junior’s dream has not arrived after 40 years even though his words my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character are familiar to almost every American (62).

**NOTE: A full version of the speech is available at:  http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

Answers:
1. According to Carson, “Albert Einstein was one of the greatest supporters of imagination. It was he that coined the phrase ‘imagination is greater that knowledge.’”

2. She finished by saying, “When Gomer says the words ‘carpe diem,’ take your leave on stage right.”

3. West (2005) writes that “Martin Luther King Junior’s dream has not arrived after 40 years even though his words ‘my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character’ are familiar to almost every American” (62).

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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