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Suggested Words and Phrases to Use When Incorporating Quotations

• If you agree with the author
  Like (writer), I believe that "…"
  The (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
  

  printable version

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