Why Write Quotes: Top 9 Motives To Use Quotations

Why write quotes? Discover our guide with the top reasons to include quotes in your speeches and writing.

According to Professor Ruth Finneghan, the ancient Greek editors were the first to use the double inverted comma we now know as quotation marks. When referencing another person’s speech or writing, we use quotation marks to draw readers’ attention to something informative in the text. 

Quotes are used in many verbal and written communication. Aside from copying or repeating an author’s or speaker’s exact words, they’re also employed to denote emphasis, dictate dialogue, and reference other compositions.

Top 9 Reasons to Write Quotes

1. To Preserve the Idea of the Original Speaker

As a writer, you must be careful in choosing words to convey what you want to relay to your audience. There can be a misunderstanding depending on the context and understanding of the receiver. Using quotes helps avoid miscommunication.

There are two methods of quoting, direct and indirect quotation. A direct quote is where you copy a sentence or part of a speech word-for-word from the original source into your speech or writing. Then you will frame or enclose it with double quotation marks.

Indirect quotes are the same as paraphrasing. It’s where the idea is still from the first source, but you’re writing it in your own words and without quotation marks. A journalist usually uses this method in summarizing interviews and speeches. However, you must be careful when making indirect quotes because rewording sometimes changes what the original speaker meant to say. 

2. To Fortify Points 

Convincing speeches have explicit assertions. Including quotes shows that you have fully prepared, understood, and acknowledged other people’s work that promotes your argument. Sharing excerpts from other individuals is more effective than simply reiterating your claims. Even if you are an expert in the field, quoting another professional in the same area shows you’re not alone in your opinion. 

Directly quoting different individuals, such as medical professionals, researchers, professors, and well-known personalities prove you’re not modifying their intentions to fit your narrative. 

3. It Makes You a Credible Writer

Immediately make your piece credible by adding quotes from reliable sources or authorized individuals on the subject; doing so lets your audience know you are serious about the topic. Quotes help establish trust by displaying your knowledge about your subject’s current situation as you present relevant information. 

You can also include a quote from an opposing scholar to break down and dissect why their reasoning is inaccurate. You can debunk their arguments point by point to make it easier for the readers to analyze the issue along with you.

4. To Avoid Monotony

Monotony is the lack of variety that makes a piece dull. Especially if you’re writing for a public presentation, you need to maintain audience engagement. You have 10 minutes at most for public speaking to keep your audience involved. 

Simple sentences are excellent for promptly relaying your thoughts, but they can also make the piece sound choppy. When used in extended writing or speeches, you will bore the audience. Instead, inject a thought-provoking quote in some parts of your work to keep your audience’s minds active.

Quotes can appeal to your audience’s emotions when you share something relatable or inspirational. Additionally, you can include a humorous quote to lighten the atmosphere and steer clear of a dry presentation.

5. It Succinctly Relays an Idea

A direct quote contains an array of other ideas. Incorporating quotes already linked to a widespread issue gives your audience ample background information you don’t need to discuss in your piece. It lets your audience further comprehend your points and insights while you delve into other aspects of the subject.

For example, if you quote a line from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech, your audience will automatically be reminded of the gravity of racism and the horrors of its foundation. For the rest of your piece, you don’t have to reiterate why racism is a serious issue.

Simple thoughts shared by influential people leave a significant impact. Choose an essential or influential person relevant to your target audience to make your integrated quotes effective.

6. It Intrigues Your Audience

Quotes make your audience curious as to how they will connect with the rest of your writing. For example, articles display interview highlights to lure people into reading the rest of the interview. 

You can also use quotes as a compelling hook in your paragraphs to grab your readers’ attention. If you’re writing essays, concluding with a quote leaves your readers with something to think about. Quotes are also great for summarizing your piece and echoing your points so the audience doesn’t forget your arguments.

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7. It Enriches Your Composition

Knowing when to use quotes demonstrates your skills. It’s the best way to introduce an argument or research and discuss the topic in depth. Learning how and where to use them develops your prowess and expands your writing experience.

The use of quotations is most helpful to writers unfamiliar with their subject. Aside from borrowing experts’ words to establish faith, they also become more knowledgeable on the topic to better communicate their position.

It’s also an excellent way of persuading the audience through solid arguments. Here’s how most writers relay arguments using quotation:

• Introduce an idea by intriguing the reader
• Quote an appropriate source that supports the idea
• Analyze the quotation
• Write about your own opinion about the concept or issue
• Summarize the key points in the text

8. You Connect with Others

Social media managers often share quotes on their pages to better connect with their followers and potential client base. Sharing opinions and ideas automatically bonds individuals who relate to a quotation or have the same interpretation. When enough people share the same belief, they can create a community. You can also use your quotes to convey your message to your audience more clearly. Here are a few reminders on how to write your quotes: 

• Brainstorm and figure out the theme of your quotation.
• Consider the level of your audience’s understanding of the theme.
• Ensure that your quote has a key message.
• Follow the format and make it short but memorable.
• Use a vivid image to help you give a deep meaning to a short phrase.
• Do not be afraid of using metaphors.
• Include essential and statistical data.
• If you can’t write your own, revise a famous quote with your beliefs and sense of humor.
• Write a quote that addresses a life virtue.
• Relate it to your life experiences.

9. It Makes the Subject More Digestible

Facilitating understanding of the topic is one of the primary purposes of including quotations in your writing. You can easily make your readers understand a complex topic by using direct and indirect quotes in explaining and providing examples. It also improves the paper’s readability by using short and easier sentences.Do you want to follow a particular citation style? See our article on the best citation software for academics.