Research papers are made to assess an individual’s knowledge about a subject course or a topic given. Citing sources and quotes from an author is one of the requirements to make one’s paper a credible piece.

While citing sources for research papers, it is important to understand the importance of mentioning sources of information gathered. Using quotes, the writer will be able to assert the facts that he has gathered, to authorize the information included in the paper and to avoid committing plagiarism.

There are things that writers and researchers should remember when trying to include quotes in a paper work. Students must know the purpose and importance of using quotes in writing their research papers. Sometimes, when quotes are misused, students are filed with serious offenses that may mark their academic performance for life.

Purpose of using Quotes

Quotes are used to highlight main points that are included in a research paper. For most papers with philosophical backgrounds, writing a summary will be a difficult task.

A writer has the tendency to over-emphasize the general information and vice versa - for the specifics. With use of quotes, the writer is forced to refer to philosophical claims that are specific in nature and narrow future discussion to a specific idea- premise, hypothesis and conclusion.

Using quotes also gives a precise idea for the topic. Most students tend to state and describe the ideas in their own words, which can lead away from the main topic being discussed in a paper work.

Quotes have the power to bring the reader back to the original language of the author being cited and make it a credible source of information.

They also provide readers with the focus and a more cohesive trail of thoughts coming from the author’s mind. They hold the writer firm with his topic, giving a link to the main argument presented and to the primary text written.

Quotes offer more credible evidence presented to readers - thus giving the writer of the research work credibility for the information included in his research. When a quote is properly included in a paper work, it proves a fact of what the author claims. It directly supports the writer’s interpretation of ideas he or she got from a book.

Proper format of using Quotes

Quotes have a specific format to make a research paper look good. Indention of quotes that are no longer than three lines is necessary. Long quotes that are included in a paper must outstand from the rest of the text paragraphs in a research work. Since most research papers are required to have double spaces, when including a quote, this should be of a larger margin and must be single spaced.

With proper citation comes a paper work that will surely be a good source of information for future use. Using quotes in a proper way will add credibility to the piece of work a student is required to pass.