Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Essay & Composition Writing
Setting apart phrases in addition to direct quotations.
The sentences in question read as follows:
"However, the excited child in Ralph comes out. He begins to become excited at the prospect of total freedom from arbitrary "adult rules"."
The phrase "adult rules" is set apart from the rest of the text due to the fact that it is not a commonly-used phrase, but makes sense in context of the quote (from Lord of the Flies). I'm writing a response to a quotation found in the book, and am using direct quotations from this quotation in my response. I was a bit reserved about using quotation marks to set off this phrase, seeing as it would make it seem that "adult rules" is found in the text, when it isn't. Would it be best to leave it surrounded by quotation marks, or should I use apostrophes as I originally planned?
Thank you very much!
"However, the excited child in Ralph comes out. He begins to become excited at the prospect of total freedom from arbitrary "adult rules"."
The phrase "adult rules" is set apart from the rest of the text due to the fact that it is not a commonly-used phrase, but makes sense in context of the quote (from Lord of the Flies). I'm writing a response to a quotation found in the book, and am using direct quotations from this quotation in my response. I was a bit reserved about using quotation marks to set off this phrase, seeing as it would make it seem that "adult rules" is found in the text, when it isn't. Would it be best to leave it surrounded by quotation marks, or should I use apostrophes as I originally planned?
Thank you very much!
Top answer
Use the single quotation marks around 'adult rules' within the double marks for the whole quote.
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Use the single quotation marks around 'adult rules' within the double marks for the whole quote.
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"Adult rules" isn't part of a quote, though, but part of my response. I only put the sentences in quotes because they were from the paragraph I'm asking about. Within the paragraph they wouldn't be in quotation marks, only "Adult rules"
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I don't get it: then why do you want to put them in quotes now?
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People call those "scare quotes". They are frowned upon by people like me, anyway. Find words that convey the meaning you're trying to produce with mere punctuation. Maybe something like, "However, the excited child in Ralph comes out. He begins to become excited at the prospect of total freedom from what he sees as the arbitrary rules that the adults in his life have always used to stifle and con
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Mister MicawberI don't get it: then why do you want to put them in quotes now?To distinguish between my post and the paragraph in question.
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To distinguish between my post and the paragraph in question.-- Maybe I still don't understand, but you cannot change a direct quote and keep it as a direct quote. Anyway, enoon's advice is good.
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