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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
