Description

when i quote someone speaking ?

**How to Master the Art of Quoting Someone in Your Speech or Writing**

Have you ever found yourself stumbling over your words when trying to properly quote someone in your speech or writing? The struggle is real, but don’t fret. Mastering the art of quoting can add depth, credibility, and a touch of expertise to your communications. Let’s dive into the fundamentals of using quotation marks effectively, whether you’re preparing for the podium or penning your next blog post.

### Direct Quotations & Their Proper Punctuation

Firstly, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of direct quotations. As detailed by Grammarly’s insightful blog, direct quotation means reproducing the exact words someone has spoken or written. To accurately attribute these words, enclose them in quotation marks. For instance, if you’re referencing Brené Brown’s powerful words from “Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead”:

> “If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.”

Notice that in written form, the speaker’s words are enclosed between double quotation marks, while the speaker’s attribution is directly connected to the quote, specifying the source (in this case, a book or an individual like Brené Brown).

### The Dilemma of Quoting a Quote

Now let’s talk about a common conundrum: quoting someone who is themselves quoting someone else. How do you navigate this? According to Grammarly, when you find yourself quoting within a quote, use single quotation marks to distinguish the inner layer. This technique creates a visual hierarchy that guides the reader to the source of the original quote while maintaining clear attribution.

### Direct Speech in Action: A Practical Guide

When it’s time to bring your source’s words to life in a speech, ensure that your audience is aware of where the quote begins and where it ends, advises the Buckley School of Public Speaking. The key is to establish a clear introduction and conclusion to the quote, perhaps along the lines of, “Here’s what Jane Smith had to say,” followed by the paraphrasing, “In her own words,” just before the quote. For written, academic or otherwise, punctuate with quotation marks, and as Owlcation points out, ensure your quote starts and ends properly, enveloping the speaker’s exact words within the marks.

### The Do’s and Don’ts of Quoting

**Do:**
– Use quotation marks properly, whether for written or spoken speech.
– Clearly indicate the start and end of the quoted material, using the punctuation and formatting that best serves your purpose.

**Don’t:**
– Include the speaker’s name inside the quotation marks. As Owlcation correctly notes, this is a common pitfall.
– Overlook the use of nested quotation marks or alternative punctuation when the quote within a quote is your situation.

### The Power of Proper Attribution

Proper attribution not only lends your speech or writing credibility but also respects the creator of the words. In speeches where the audience cannot visually see the quotation marks, consider verbal markers such as, “He said,” or “She stated,” to delineate the borrowed words.

### Conclusion

Quoting someone speaking or writing can transform your content, imbuing it with the gravitas, expertise, or simple authority from another source. Punctuation rules and techniques for direct speech are here to ensure that your message is transmitted with clarity and accuracy, making it a powerful asset in your oral and written communications. Now equipped with this knowledge, go forth and quote with confidence!