This article covers how to introduce a quote in an essay. We focus on integrating a quotation into your writing, not the mechanics of citing it. For citation format guidance, see our guide on how to cite sources in essays (APA, MLA, and Chicago).
When introducing a quote, you have three options:
- Use a complete sentence to set it up
- Integrate the quote seamlessly into your own writing
- Use a simple introductory word or phrase to get started
In the sections below, we cover each method with examples. Knowing how to introduce a quote correctly is one of the most practical essay writing skills you can develop.
Quotes are valuable when they back up your argument or demonstrate that you understand your sources. The process of using a quote well breaks down into three steps:
- Making a statement (your argument or claim)
- Introducing the quotation
- Analyzing (explaining how the quote supports your point)
Note: For APA and MLA format, read our article on how to cite sources in essays. Need help with essay structure? See our how to write an essay guide.
Before diving into the methods, let’s cover the basics of quotation marks.
How to Use Quotation Marks (Inverted Commas)
When you use a quote without changing it, place quotation marks around it. This shows the information comes directly from a source and has not been altered.
American and British styles differ in their use of inverted commas:
| Style | Outside | Inside | Comma | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American | Double | Single | Inside | Inside |
| British | Single | Double | Outside | Outside |
American:
As Freeman reported, “Van Dusen could be heard being outraged, ‘I can’t believe she said, “Can you help me?”!’”
British:
As Freeman reported, ‘Van Dusen could be heard being outraged, “I can’t believe she said, ‘Can you help me?’!”’
Exception: In APA and MLA styles, the final punctuation mark goes after the citation in parentheses.
APA example:
Taylor (2016) thinks the response to punishment is anger: “Punishment, especially if its justice is doubtful,…coarsens the human soul and hardens it” (p.72).
MLA example:
Spencer defines social evolution as a “transition from a state of relative uncertainty, incoherence, and homogeneity to a state of relative certainty, connectedness, and versatility” (54).
In terms of punctuation, you can introduce a quote with:
- A comma, if you use signal verbs like “says,” “states,” “explains,” etc. (see the full list in the next chapter)
- A colon, if you use a complete sentence before inserting the quotation
- No punctuation mark, if you use words like “that,” “as,” or if you seamlessly integrate the quotation into your text
What introductory words can I use for quotations?
Apart from standard words like “believes” or “notes,” you can use dozens of synonyms as quote starters. Each word carries its own connotation, so choose carefully. The examples below are placed after the phrase “the author” or the author’s last name. We show usage after the list.
| VERBS | SYN | SYN | SYN | SYN | SYN | SYN | SYN | SYN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announce | claim | mention | note | point to | refer | remark | report | state |
| Answer | react | reply | respond | retort | ||||
| Approve | accept | acknowledge | admit | agree | allow | confirm | endorse | praise |
| Argue | disagree | disapprove | dispute | object | oppose | protest | urge | |
| Ask | beg | demand | explore | insist | investigate | plead | question | request |
| Assume | hypothesize | imagine | imply | infer | speculate | theorize | think | wonder |
| Call | brand | designate | label | name | stamp | tag | title | |
| Decide | agree | conclude | judge | opt for | take a stand | |||
| Denounce | accuse | blame | censure | condemn | correct | criticize | slander | vilify |
| Deny | decline | refuse | refute | reject | ||||
| Describe | characterize | compare | express | formulate | report | |||
| Discuss | analyze | comment on | conclude | debate | evaluate | review | suggest | talk about |
| Explain | clarify | define | demonstrate | elaborate | expound | illustrate | make clear | portray |
| Inform | acquaint | advise | caution | instruct | notify | reassure | warn | |
| Repeat | rehash | reiterate | restate | retell | ||||
| Say | allege | assert | assert | comment | enounce | pronounce | speak | voice |
| Show | display | emphasize | expose | indicate | manifest | note | point out | reveal |
| Tell | cite | narrate | quote | report | review |
Another popular way to introduce a quotation is by using the phrase “according to.”
According to Harlow (2006), nominalists “denied the existence of a single Divine entity …, oriented researchers away from theological problems, and considered natural phenomena the subject of scientific knowledge” (p.22).
When to Use Quotes
Do not insert quotations randomly in your essay. That will confuse your reader and weaken your argument. Keep these guidelines in mind when choosing a direct quote:
Pick a quotation that supports your argument. Use results from credible research, an opinion from a subject matter expert, or confirmed statistics. You can also quote from a text you are reviewing or critiquing.
Don’t leave a quotation without proper analysis. Your analysis must connect the excerpt to your argument. If you cannot explain how a quote relates to your point, leave it out.
Use direct quotations sparingly. Essays are about showing your point of view. A maximum of one quote per paragraph is a good rule. If you need more support, consider paraphrasing instead.
Note: Do not start or end a paragraph with a quote!
Your tutor wants to see how you understand the topic, not just how many field experts you can cite.
The Quote Sandwich Method
The most reliable way to introduce a quote is to follow the quote sandwich method: Lead-In, Quote, Analysis. This three-part structure ensures every quotation is properly set up and explained.
- Lead-In: A sentence or phrase that introduces the source and frames the quote
- Quote: The exact words from your source, in quotation marks
- Analysis: Your explanation of how the quote supports your argument
Good example (sandwich method applied):
Smith argues that early education shapes lifelong habits: “Children who read for pleasure before age ten are significantly more likely to become lifelong readers” (Smith, 2018, p.44). This finding supports the need for schools to prioritize independent reading time in the early grades.
Poor example (orphan quote, no context or analysis):
“Children who read for pleasure before age ten are significantly more likely to become lifelong readers.” Reading is important for education.
The good example names the source, provides the exact quotation, and explains why it matters. The poor example drops the quote with no context and no follow-up. Instructors often call this an “orphan quote.”
Introducing a Short Quote
A short quote is one that fits on four or fewer lines in your essay. Use quotation marks and cite the source inline. There are three ways to introduce a short quote:
Signal words or phrases:
In his book, Winstanley (2009) says, “With developed eidetic memory, a person can ‘see’ a missing object down to the smallest detail” (p.13).
A full-sentence introduction:
According to Jung (1997), these spheres are essentially opposites: “The unconscious is like a reflection of a mountain in a lake, a mirror image, the back of the conscious … the unconscious is regarded as performing a compensatory function” (p.298).
Seamless quote integration:
The difference between rational and irrational functions is that the former “base their modus operandi on the judgment of the mind,” whereas the latter base theirs on “the sheer perception” (Jung, 1998, p.720).
Introducing a Block Quote
Block quotes are used for longer passages. In APA format, a block quote is required when a passage exceeds 40 words. In MLA format, use a block quote when a passage runs more than four typed lines. Block quotes do not use quotation marks. Indent the entire passage instead. For formatting requirements, see our essay format guide.
Block quotations require more analysis than short quotes. The longer the passage, the more your reader needs you to explain its significance.
The methods for curing patients in the medieval and early modern time periods would probably be considered torture today:
The hospital regime was a mixture of punishment and religious devotion. Chains, manacles, locks, and stocks appear in the hospital inventory from this time. The shock of corporal punishment was believed to cure some conditions, while isolation was thought to help a person “come to their senses.” (“From Bethlehem”)
Introducing Paraphrases and Summaries
When you express information from a source in your own words, you do not need quotation marks. You still need to cite the source and provide your own analysis. Learn the difference in our guide on paraphrasing vs. summarizing.
Original:
“Every bit of incoming information presents a choice: whether to pay attention, whether to reply, and whether to factor it into an impending decision. But decision science has shown that people faced with a plethora of choices are apt to make no decision at all” (Begley 30).
Summary:
More options make it harder for people to make a decision, Begley argues (30).
Paraphrase:
We have to process all the data we receive and decide what to do with it, from ignoring it to using it for a decision (Begley 30). Too many choices can leave us unable to decide, according to decision science (30).
Can I alter quotes?
Yes. You can condense the original passage by removing details that are not relevant to your argument. Shorter quotes are often more effective. Use an ellipsis to remove unnecessary parts and follow these guidelines:
- Do not place an ellipsis if you use only a short phrase from the source.
- Do not omit information if its absence distorts the original meaning of the quote.
- Put a period before the ellipsis if you skip one or more sentences.
Wilde absolutizes art, affirming its dominant position in the world: “A great artist invents a type, and Life tries to copy it … Literature always anticipates life. It does not copy it but molds it to its purpose” (11).
You can also use square brackets to show that you changed or added words. This is necessary when you need context to understand the quote or when pronouns need to agree with their antecedents.
Taylor reports, “He [Jonathan] tried to persuade me of his innocence, but all the evidence was against him” (55).
As Robert Ballard recounts, “It [the final resting place of the RMS Titanic] is a quiet and peaceful place and a fitting place for the remains of this greatest of sea tragedies to rest” (Eckholm).
When you include a poem, show where the line breaks by using a slash (/).
Heaney directly compares poetry writing to the digging his ancestors did: “Between my finger and my thumb / The squat pen rests. / I’ll dig with it” (line 29-31).
Common Mistakes When Introducing Quotes
Even students who understand how to introduce a quote sometimes fall into predictable traps. Here are the most common errors to avoid:
- Orphan quotes: Dropping a quote with no lead-in. Always name the source before quoting.
- No analysis: Ending a paragraph with a quote. Always explain what the quote means in the context of your argument.
- Over-quoting: Using too many direct quotes instead of your own voice. Aim for no more than one quote per paragraph.
- Misrepresenting the source: Cutting words in a way that changes the meaning. If in doubt, paraphrase instead.
- Wrong format: Forgetting to indent block quotes or adding quotation marks around them. Check the required essay format (MLA, APA, or Chicago).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you introduce a quote in an essay?
Use a lead-in that names the source and frames the quote, then add the quotation in quotation marks, and follow it with your analysis. This is called the quote sandwich method: Lead-In, Quote, Analysis.
What is a signal phrase when introducing a quote?
A signal phrase is a word or short phrase that attributes a quote to its source. Common examples include “Smith argues,” “According to Jones,” and “As Williams notes.” You follow the signal phrase with a comma and then the quotation.
When should I use a block quote instead of a short quote?
Use a block quote when a passage is more than 40 words (APA) or more than four typed lines (MLA). Block quotes are indented and do not use quotation marks. They require more analysis in the text that follows.
Can I start a sentence with a quote?
Technically yes, but it is generally poor practice. Starting a sentence with a quote gives your reader no context and no signal phrase to identify the source. It is better to begin with a lead-in that names the author.
What is the difference between a quote and a paraphrase?
A direct quote uses the exact words from a source and requires quotation marks. A paraphrase rewrites the idea in your own words and does not use quotation marks, but still requires a citation. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on paraphrasing vs. summarizing.
The list of references
- Suggested Ways to Introduce Quotations — Columbia College
- Words That Introduce Quotes or Paraphrases — Gallaudet University
- Integrating Quotes — Ashford University
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Terry is a Chicago-based writer and editor who creates practical, student-friendly guides on essay writing, research, and citation styles (APA, MLA, and Chicago). He’s spent 15+ years editing educational content and building clear examples that help readers apply rules without guessing. When he’s not revising drafts, he’s usually turning messy notes into clean outlines and hunting down the one detail everyone skips.