Essay Quotes Introduction

Conversely, an essay with no quotations will not achieve many marks either. Quotations are a ‘support’ system, much like a back up for your ideas and arguments.

This is dependent on which aspect of the text you are discussing, for example: if a student merely adds in quotes as ‘sentence fillers’.

Throwing in quotations just to make your essay appear more sophisticated will only be more damaging if the quotation does not adequately reinforce or expand on your contention.

Long quotations The multitudes of deaths surrounding Anna began to take its toll on her, burdening her with guilt as ‘sometimes, if I walked the main street of the village in the evening, I felt the press of their ghosts.

I realised then that I had begun to step small and carry myself all hunched, keeping my arms at my sides and my elbows tucked, as if to leave room for them.’ (Long quotations comprise of more than one sentence – avoid using them as evidence.

Below is a good example of blending in quotations: John Proctor deals with his own inner conflict as he is burdened with guilt and shame of his past adulterous actions.

Yet during the climatic ending of the play, Proctor honours his principles as he rejects signing a false confession.

Quotations, better known though their abbreviation as ‘quotes’, are a form of evidence used in VCE essays.

Using quotations in essays helps to demonstrate your knowledge of the text, as well as providing solid evidence for your arguments.

There is no general rule in Australia regarding which type of inverted comma you must use for quotations.

Single inverted commas are preferred in Australia as it follows the British standard.