The Merriam-Webster dictionary provides three definitions for quote. All are verbs. To quote is an action. You are actively encouraged to quote, but don't call it a quote. It's a quotation.
But wait! There's more
I'm not writing this to be pedantic about the difference between a noun (quotation) and a verb (quote.) The point is that you don't need to name your citation as a quotation.A quotation is what you call the words of another that you put in your essay and surround with quotation marks. It's merely a statement. (And even that is too wordy.)
Here's what I typically see in a first-year essay:
- In the quotation by XXX, ...
Or worse:
- XXX quoted, "...."
Neither of these should use the word "quoted" or "quotation."
Instead of "quoted," you can simply say "said." Or use the old standby, "according to" followed by the name then a comma and then the quotation itself.
- According to Shakespeare, "Life is but a stage..."
Here's the worst way to quote in an essay:
- In a research study by Smith and Smith on essay writing, it says "Essay writing is hard."
If you are worried about your word count, then this could be the way to go, but for whatever marks you save by being long enough, you will lose marks for poor writing. We already know it was a research study, that's why it has been published. Naming anything and then using "it" can't be good. How about the following?
- According to Smith and Smith, "Essay writing is hard."
We've turned 17 words into 9. That's almost a 50% savings. And who wouldn't like 50% off? I'm sure the person who marks your essay would really enjoy this.
When do you say quotation?
In the rare cases when you would use the word quotation, it would be if you need to be explicit about someone using someone else's words.- A poster with a quotation from Plato graced the classroom.
- Smith's quotation of Descartes' statement, "I think, therefore I am," was illogical and inappropriate.
