Statements that introduce in-text quotations take a range of punctuation marks and lead-in words. Here are some examples of ways writers typically introduce quotations:

Introducing a Quotation Using a Colon A colon usually follows an independent clause placed before the quotation:

As George Williams notes, protection of white privilege is critical to patterns of discrimination: “Whenever a number of persons within a society have enjoyed for a considerable period of time certain opportunities for getting wealth, for exercising power and authority, and for successfully claiming prestige and social deference, there is a strong tendency for these people to feel that these benefits are theirs ‘by right’ ” (727).

Introducing a Quotation Using a Comma A comma usually follows an introduction that incorporates the quotation in its sentence structure:

Similarly, Duncan Turner asserts, “As matters now stand, it is unwise to talk about communication without some understanding of Burke” (259).

Introducing a Quotation Using That No punctuation is generally needed with that, and no capital letter is used to begin the quotation:

Noting this failure, Alice Miller asserts that “the reason for her despair was not her suffering but the impossibility of communicating her suffering to another person” (255).