Quote Directly
A direct quotation is an exact copy of words found in a source. Taking notes that contain quotations can help you accurately keep track of the information, ideas, and arguments you encounter as you learn about a conversation.
When you use quotations in your notes, be sure to place quotation marks around any quoted passage. If you don’t, you might later think that the passage is a paraphrase or summary and might unintentionally plagiarize it when you draft your document (see Chapter 13 and Chapter 16). The solution to this problem is simple: ensure that you take notes carefully and accurately. Be sure to do the following:
- Enclose quoted passages in quotation marks.
- Identify the author and title of the source for every quotation.
- List the page number (or paragraph number, if you are using a source that does not have page numbers) where the quotation can be found.
- Proofread what you have written to make sure it matches the original source exactly — including wording, punctuation, and spelling.
Megan Martinez decided to quote from an article that appeared in the New York Times about Veterans Green Jobs. The article, written by Felicity Barringer, described a project that put veterans to work preserving public lands.