Quoting someone properly depends on the context—whether it’s for writing, speaking, or online use. Here’s a clear guide on how to quote someone effectively:

How to Quote Someone

1. Identify the Exact Words

• Use the person’s exact words without changing them.
• If you need to omit parts, use ellipses (…) to show missing text.
• If you add your own words for clarity, use brackets [ ].

2. Use Quotation Marks

• Place the quoted text inside double quotation marks (“ ”).
• For a quote within a quote, use single quotation marks (‘ ’).

Example:

She said, “I love reading ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’”

3. Attribute the Quote

• Mention who said it, either before or after the quote.
• Use verbs like said, stated, explained, or claimed.

Example:

Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

4. Cite the Source (if applicable)

• In academic or formal writing, provide the source (book, article, speech).
• Follow the citation style required (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Example (APA):

According to Smith (2020), “Effective communication is key to success” (p. 45).

5. Formatting Tips

• For short quotes, incorporate them into your sentence with quotation marks.
• For longer quotes (usually 40+ words), use a block quote format:
  • Indent the entire quote.
  • Do not use quotation marks.
  • Maintain double spacing (in academic papers).

Example of Quoting in Different Contexts

Informal Conversation or Online

John said, “I’ll be there at 7 PM.”

Academic Writing

As Johnson (2019) argues, “Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to global ecosystems” (p. 102).

Speech or Presentation

To quote Martin Luther King Jr., “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up.”

If you want, I can also help you with quoting in a specific format or style!