The use of quotes


► Help‎ (6 C, 4 P, 9 F)

Making use of quotes is an easy, sometimes too easy way of writing. In most cases when writers use quotes, it is to emphasize the viewpoint of the one being quoted. So when you use quotes but the content is untrue, you're in trouble. It's not enough to place a reference behind the quote. A reference makes clear where you got the quote, but it doesn't solve the problem that you're actually promoting the viewpoint of the one being quoted. When we write in SMMA we need to be very cautious with this. You need to become familiar with various phrases to warn the reader or to make clear where SMMA stands in this.

Some examples of such phrases:

Person A stated that: "Quote..."
Person B alleged "quote..."
To the surprise of his adversaries, Person C once said: "Quote..."
Expressing her feelings of guilt, person C wrote: "Quote..."
Etc... there are many possibilities.

Another method to acquire more objectivity is that of juxtaposing two quotes, each giving different viewpoints.