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OWL - Online Writing Lab: Quotations continued

Collection of short tutorials created by ASC, the Academic Support Center staff, to help students successfully execute the writing requirements at Louisville Seminary.

Suggested Words and Phrases to Use When Incorporating Quotations


  • If you agree with the author
    Like (writer), I believe that "…"
    (Writer) is astute to say that " . . .."
    It is valid, as (writer) states, that "…" 
    I agree with (writer)'s point that ". . . "

  • If you disagree with the writer*
    In my opinion, (author)'s idea that ". . ." 
    (the author) is unwise to state that ". . . "
    I disagree with (author)'s opinion that " . . . "

    *Use these sparingly, if at all. The reader knows that these are your ideas: after all it is your paper. It is more confident, formal, and professional to say something like, "Barth's theory, however, does not easily apply to . . ." Words like however, on the other hand, and conversely signal the reader that you disagree with the quotation.

  • Presenting the writer's point of view
    According to (writer) " . . ." 
    (writer) claims that ". . . "
    " . . . " declares (writer)

  • These are a few words that you can also use
    acknowledges 
    admits
    affirms 
    alleges (pejorative)
    announces 
    asserts 
    believes 
    claims 
    comments 
    conveys 
    declares 
    discloses
    divulges 
    emphasizes 
    explains 
    expresses 
    identifies 
    infers 
    makes 
    known 
    maintains 
    opines 
    posits 
    professes 
    proclaims
    recounts 
    reports 
    relates 
    reveals 
    says 
    states 
    writes