All You Should Know about Using Quotes in an Essay

As you tackle your essay writing assignments in college, you will always need to cite someone in your papers. Referencing others, however, requires a certain degree of mastery so that you do it within the defined and established rules of academic writing. The reason is it is extremely necessary to make citations based on different academic writing styles you use in college such as the MLA, APA, and Harvard. That is why you ought to know these styles so that you can do it right. This article will share with you how to make citations using the three styles I have mentioned above. What is a quotation inside your assignment and what is its usefulness? As a student, making citations within your papers is a needful requirement. A quote is a direct or indirect referencing of what another person said about a particular issue. You can reference them verbatim or by rephrasing. But why are quotes important in the overall rating and effectiveness of your assignment? Read on below to find all the answers. First, quoting someone directly concretizes the base of your evidence as you uphold your arguments. This way, you make your arguments livelier. Second, citing others offers your readers concrete proof you play as per the rules since the laws of academic writing demand it. Third, quoting another person in your essay helps to build the credibility of your arguments since you give the reader the opportunity to cross-examine your evidence against an authority. Fourth, making quotes in your paper shows your readers that you respect fair play by respecting other people’s efforts by recognizing them. Fifth, by quoting others in your essays, you prove that you have refused to fall into the trap of plagiarism. However, you need to be discreet when using this method. The reason is that you can fall into another trap if you don’t apply balance. If you fill your essay with excessive citations, you will also lose the value of your essay. You may avoid plagiarism and get the benefits I have mentioned above but lose out on other issues such as originality of thought and the ability to incorporate your personal thoughts into your paper. You may end up looking like another academic parrot and echo that is echoing and parroting things they don’t understand. To get the balance, quotes should bolster your arguments, and not replace your ability to think and argue on your feet. Making citations as per the MLA style The MLA is among the leading and most popular styles of quoting in essays. We start off by looking at how to quote someone in an essay MLA. Should you be required to make quotations using this format, it is necessary you incorporate the name of the author and the page number but leave out the citation’s date. In MLA, quoting anything under four lines is taken to be a shorter citation. While doing so, it is necessary that you give your quotation an introduction so that readers can know what to expect. Additionally, you should place quotes inside double quotation marks with the last name of the author, and the page number. For instance, write, Kim asserts that â€Å"More people are dying of lifestyle diseases than HIV/AIDS† (56). If you want to cite someone beyond four lines, that amounts to a long quote. These citations don’t require you to use quotation marks. You need to begin it with a sentence of text followed by a colon. Thereafter, indent the opening sentence of the quote to the right by a single inch. You may finalize by punctuating it and adding the name of the author and the page number in parenthesis after the citation. That is how to put a long quote in an essay in the MLA writing style. Making quotations according to APA style guidelines This section will show you how to quote someone in an essay APA. This style allows you to give the last name of the author and page number like the MLA requires. However, including dates is not a must. In addition, this style demands that you include a â€Å"P† in front of the page number. In this style, a short quote is below 40 words. Look at this sample: In the words of Fredrick, (1989), â€Å"Exercise has numerous health benefits which the larger population has not yet appreciated† (p. 69). Likewise, this format to make short quotes: Stewart discovered that â€Å"Poachers are killing more elephants than we initially thought† (1990, p.46). When making long quotes, follow the same rule the MLA format follows. The only difference is the length of aligning the quotes where you should align it  ½ of an inch instead of an inch. When rephrasing quotes, follow the same rules as with direct short quotes but do not include any quotation mark. When citing various authors, use the â€Å"† sign to join the names of the authors in an alphabetical order. When citing from the Net, get the author’s name, the year, and paragraph number. Referencing using Harvard style This section shows you how to quote someone in an essay Harvard using the Harvard format. When required to quote someone directly, use single quotation marks to lock the text followed by the author, date, and page number. When quoting four lines of text and above, use block quotes minus quotation marks. If you are supposed to cite someone indirectly, acknowledge the author at the end of the quotes. Find help with your essay This article has shared with you all the established ways of making various types of direct, and indirect citations using the main academic formatting styles. With all these facts at your fingertips, you are better placed to bolster your citation skills. But if you run into deadlines, you can get professional essay writing help from our professional writers here. You are always welcome to talk to us anytime you need urgent essay writing help.

The Theme of Racism in A Raisin in the Sun - Free Essay Example

The text in the book A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry was happening in the early 50s-late 50s in Chicago where racism was a huge issue in all aspects such as education, employment, and housing. One of the preexisting conditions or problems thats still going on the society is racial segregation and discrimination. Even though the Supreme Court overturned the separate but equal doctrine in 1954, we all have implicit| hidden bias by nature. This is still a prevalent issue in our society currently as people have stereotypes and prejudice mainly towards women, Muslims, Latino, and minorities, and especially Black or African- American people and their communities. Everyone is striving to get the American dream; as for the Younger family described in A Raisin in the Sun, they are denied the pursuit of the American dream because they are African-American. Some people have to work harder like the Younger family did. In this time period, while white people still have better treatment or easier access to housing and better opportunities, African Americans, such as the Younger family, have to work harder in order to have a better way of living. Part of their American dream was to live in a better place, but the Younger family did not have the right amount of money to do so. They lived in a two bedroom apartment at Southside Chicago. The son didnt have his own bedroom. He slept on the living room couch. In addition, they didnt have their own bathroom. They shared a bathroom outside the hallway with other neighbors living nearby (Hansberry 27-28). It seemed like this family did not had any privacy at all and they were all cramped up into one small area. During this time period, Walter drove other rich people around while Ruth and Lena were servants. Their socioeconomic status was low classified as the servant class or working poor class. (Constantakis 141). In addition, Drake and Cayton said similar to the Youngers situation, only 64% of black women and 34% of black men were servants or housemaids in the city (Gordon 123). There werent a lot of resources or opportunities that was a great benefit for the African Americans. Constantakins stated that segregation and discrimination increased rapidly during the time period of 1950s and 60s in Chicago (142). However, this affected Black people and their communities negatively as there were limited opportunities. For instance, for housing, the Black people were restricted to reside in housing projects that were often crime ridden (Constantakis 142-143). Also more black people didnt get jobs or lost their jobs more often the white people (Gordon 123).The Younger family was facing a lot of financial struggles when they lived in the apartment. One example is when the Youngers family had to work so hard to get money. Being African American, Walter and Ruth did not get the right amount of pay to what they were doing. Getting the check was their only hope to change or turn their lives around. In the text, Ruth was talking to Walter saying: They said Saturday and t his is just Friday and I hopes to God you aint going to get up here first thing this morning and start talking to me bout no money cause I bout dont want to hear it (Hansberry 29).Based on their financial situation, the first thing that comes to their mind is money. At some degree, I could see and agree why Ruth was frustrated when she was talking to her husband, Walter about the check coming in. First, its not even her money. Its her mother in law (Lena) and they dont know what was going to be her motive once Lena gets it. Second, until then, just like every other Black or African American families, they had to struggle to meet their ends financially, mentally, and physically such as having food, clothing, and paying their bills on time. Even though the White families in the 1940s and 50s paid around the same amount of money for housing, the Black families living arrangement was different, such as no electricity and less space (Gordon 125). Also Ruths son, Travis, was asking Mom briefly if the check was coming and that he needs fifty cents for school. Ruth said to him Well I aint got no fifty cents this morning. I dont care what teacher say. I aint got it. Eat your breakfast, Travis (Hansberry 31).I feel the struggle thats happening in this scene. She was going through an economic hardship like other Black families where they cant afford to give their child what they need in terms of school or personal stuff like entertainment wise. They were struggling to survive. Every penny or any type of money they got, they made sure they spent it wisely and not just gave it away carelessly. However, money was a root or a main cause in the Youngers family. In the play, Walter said to his sister, Beneatha, Have we figured out yet exactly how much medical school is going to cost (Hansberry 40).This seems like a financial burden on how much money was allotted only to the sister to further her education. This caused resentment or envy on Walters behalf since he does no t have enough money to spend on what he wants for himself and the family. Money was a financial problem on how it affected the children in the parents relationships of black families. When the mother couldnt give her son the money that he needed for, Walter stepped in and provided his son the money for his basic needs. Walter said, In fact, here is another fifty cents. Buy yourself some fruit today-or take a taxi cab to school or something (Hansberry 34). I found this to be interesting and loved the fact that even though they were struggling money-wise, the father went out of his way boldly to give his son what he needed. Thats what every Black or African American family really wants their children to see their parents as role models and depend on them for anything to give it to them. Young children shouldnt experience financial troubles when the parent cant even give them 50 cents to school. It was part of their life as they were in poverty. It seemed a little bit heartbreaking to see that as a parent, Walter would feel more as a failure that he cant gi ve his son the little money he needed it for. Racial segregation or discrimination played in the story was played through several characters. One of the characters was Karl Lindner, who was a representative of the Clybourne Park Improvement Association for the New Neighbors Orientation Committee. Clybourne Park is an all-white neighborhood and he is the one that took control over the neighborhood and made sure he had the right type of people he wanted to see living in that community. In the text, Linder said, Im the chairman of the committee- go around and see the new people who move into the neighborhood and sort of give them the lowdown on the way we do things out in Clybourne Park(Hansberry 115 ). It seems like he was entitled and wants to be mean to the people who he has disapproval of into moving in the perfect neighborhood he wants. This welcoming committee seems like it had contradictory attitudes and behaviors of people getting along together. In the text, Linder stated to Walter, Beneatha, and Ruth, I want you to bel ieve me when i tell you that race and prejudice simply doesnt enter into it. Its a matter of the people of Clybourne Park believing, rightly or wrongly, as I say , that for the happiness of all concerned that our Negro families are happier when they live in their own communities (Hansberry 118). Gordon described Linders statement that he was having the same beliefs upon segregation similar to the people that reside in the urban northern part of Chicago (Gordon 129). This is an example that could led into the cognitive dissonance theory. This was quite disturbing when Karl said it out bluntly that black people should not be in this type of neighborhood. He definitely pulled out the race card. As the chairman of the new people orientation, instead of welcoming them with open arms and letting them join the neighborhood peacefully: he was full of pride and told them how he felt about them moving in. Instead, he thought giving them money as an alternative would be a better solution for them to forget the house. They Younger family denied their money because they just want to get out and live or integrate in a better neighborhood. These people came from Southside Chicago living in the slums. Black families, like the Youngers lived in hazardous living conditions in their apartments. Gordon described it as indestructible contradictions to this state of being with the rats, roaches, worn furniture, and over-crowded conditions (Gordon 127). Who wouldnt want to live a better life at a good neighborhood? It seems that Karl was afraid to see change and was living this utopian fantasy that things would only run good if theres only white people in the neighborhood. Moreover, Gordon stated some of his concerns about segregation and racism. In reality, theres no exact term called white folks neighborhood except for those that clearly wants to be prejudiced or people that are open to have or accept racist ideas (Gordon 125). When Linder was saying those racial| prejudiced comments, he didnt know how it would affect the other characters and their actions. When he received an angry reaction from them, Linder said, Well i dont understand why you people are reacting this way. What do you think you are going to gain by moving into a neighborhood where you just arent wanted and where people can get worked up when they feel that their whole way of life and everything theyve ever worked for is threatened (Hansberry 119).Based on this, Gordon stated there could be a possibility of fear in integrating diverse people in the same communities (129).According to one of the Supreme Court decisions made in 1954, negroes and white inter-marrying will be a common thing and the white race will go downhill (Gordon 129). It seems to me like he was contradicting himself in the whole situation .Also it seems or feels like it is unfair that a white man tried to threaten the Younger family if they moved into the neighborhood they wanted to be in. Furthermore, it seems like hes making an assumption or stereotype about Black people being around Black people is risky and a danger to the society. In addition, if the roles were reversed or be a double standard, the white people would probably have the same reaction like the Youngers family had. Another character that demonstrated racial discrimination or segregation throughout some of his lines was Walter, the son of Lena Younger. There was a scene when Walter was talking to Mama about his life. He said: Mama sometimes when Im downtown and I pass them cool, quiet- looking restaurants where them white boys are sitting back and talking about things Sitting there turning deals worth millions of dollars ¦ sometimes I see guys dont look much older than me (Hansberry 76).It seems like Walter wishes he could live this type of lifestyle with his family. He is envious when he sees people his age living better than him and having more fortune than him- emphasized more on their skin color. This is interesting to see that Walter has a dream or vision on how he wants to live his life someday. He categorizes himself as a poor or middle class but hes trying to elevate himself to be successful like the white people. In another act of the play, Walter was talking to his wife, Ruth about his dream -on having a business negotiation with Willy is still not done. Walter mentioned: Why? You want to know why cause we all tied up in a race of people that dont know how to do nothing but moan, pray, and have babies(Hansberry 89). It seems like Walter cant get his dream accomplished because he was making a general stereotype that what all African Americans only do and why they are not successful. Not all Black or African Americans are about that lifestyle. It feels like Walter has a sense of internalized racism. In other words, Walter absorbed all the prejudiced or racist comments in his mind that comes from the dominant group that has been talking down towards his racial group. Eventually, this information bombarded him and made him have self hatred towards his own race. This led to Walter into becoming racist towards his own idea. Therefore, I dont agree what Walter was stating about his own race to be true. There are some African Americans that are struggling and hustl ing to live a better life for themselves or their family. For instance, Lena Younger, the mother of Walter, wasnt satisfied on how she saw her family living in the apartment together and werent getting along. With the insurance money that she had inherited from her husband that passed away, she decided to live her American dream: to buy a nice house for her family in a very nice neighborhood -Clybourne Park. In the text, Lena was telling Ruth Them houses they put up for colored in them areas way out all seem to cost twice as much as other houses. I did the best I could (Hansberry 95). This seems like these racist laws that they put up for colored people were given unfair treatment to grant them access to equal opportunity of housing like the European or Caucasian people. Although she got a new house. it felt like she had to go out of her way even more to find a house thats not only good for her family but was financially stable for her to buy the property. When Lena brought the hous e in Clybourne Park, she was trying to prove a point in the society. Mama insists on having her family permission or approval to stop the economic oppression that was happening in Chicago during that time period of segregation (Gordon 127). To sum it up, there was a lot of racial segregation and discrimination going on throughout this time period (1950s-1960s) for African Americans. As this was a tough battle to fight and break the cycle of segregation, Black people and White people should be created equally and having the same type of assess to having the same types of jobs and housing. They shouldnt be treated differently because of their skin color. We need to come together as a whole and create peace and not destroying each other. Works Cited A Raisin in the Sun. Drama for Students, edited by Sara Constantakis, vol. 29, Gale, 2012, pp. 131-155. Gale Virtual Reference Library, https://link.galegroup.com.lehman.ezproxy.cuny.edu/apps/doc/CX2279600018/GVRL?u=lehman_mainsid=GVRLxid=ca7e8536. Accessed 11 Dec. 2018. Gordon, Michelle. Somewhat like war: the aesthetics of segregation, black liberation, and A Raisin in the Sun. African American Review, vol. 42, no. 1, 2008, p. 121+. Academic OneFile, https://link.galegroup.com.lehman.ezproxy.cuny.edu/apps/doc/A194963506/AONE?u=lehman_mainsid=AONExid=ac1125d9. Accessed 11 Dec. 2018.