There are two types of quotes, the direct quotation, and the indirect quotation, often called the paraphrase. In general, good writers of history papers tend to use the direct quotation when discussing or providing evidence from primary sources, and the paraphrase when bringing in evidence from secondary sources.
(or paraphrase)
When should you paraphrase? The paraphrase is most useful when providing information about historical events that you drew from secondary sources. In general, one should always rephrase secondary sources into your own words, unless there is something about the quality of language of the secondary source to which you would like to draw the reader's attention. Be sure to notify your reader from where you are paraphrasing and why this source is of particular relevance to the topic you are addressing.
Examples
| Karal Marling, a historian of the 1950s, has noted that visual culture is essential to understanding America in this period. (followed by a citation of some sort) |
| The post-war period, as a number of historians have observed, witnessed an explosion of consumer spending. (followed by a citation of some sort) |
When should you use the direct quotation? While it is tempting when confronted with a ten - page paper to fill your paper with direct quotations, this method of paper writing tends to give the impression that the student hasn't really mastered the material, and cuts into the student's opportunity to develop and display his/her own style. Use the direct quote to:
1) to show how historical figures spoke or thought.
2) to emphasize a point you've made.
3) to provide an example.
4) to show an author's intention.
Accordingly, the direct quotation is often more appropriate for primary, rather than secondary sources. Be sure to notify your reader from where the quotation is coming, and why this source is of relevance to the topic.
Examples
| As one enthusiast of paint by numbers wrote in his diary in 1953, "Completed the Last Supper today, very calming." (followed by a citation of some sort) |
| An advertisement for Columbia Records from Time magazine in 1968 encapsulated much of this tendency of American culture to transform radical threats into consumer objects. "The revolutionaries," the ad assured potential buyers, "are all on Columbia Records." (followed by a citation of some sort) |
Note that it is possible to change where in the sentence the direct quotation falls. Look closely at the punctuation around the red text.
| The ad assured potential buyers, "The revolutionaries are all on Columbia Records." |
| "The revolutionaries are all on Columbia Records," the ad assured potential buyers. |
| "The revolutionaries," the ad assured potential buyers, "are all on Columbia Records." |