Quotation ellipsis is a punctuation mark often used in writing to indicate the exclusion of a portion of a quote. It is represented by three consecutive dots, often called ellipses, and is used to indicate where a portion of the quote has been removed.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
Quotation ellipsis is a punctuation mark often used in writing to indicate the exclusion of a portion of a quote. It is represented by three consecutive dots, often called ellipses, and is used to indicate where a portion of the quote has been removed.
Why Use Quotation Ellipsis?
Quotation ellipsis is used for a variety of reasons in writing. One common reason is to remove irrelevant or unnecessary information from a quote. For example, if a speaker is giving a long speech and only a portion of it is relevant to the topic at hand, quotation ellipsis can be used to indicate where the irrelevant information has been removed.
Another reason to use quotation ellipsis is to streamline a quote. Sometimes a quote can be too long or unwieldy to include in its entirety, and quotation ellipsis can be used to shorten it without changing the meaning. This is especially useful in academic writing, where long quotes can disrupt the flow of the text.
How to Use Quotation Ellipsis
To use quotation ellipsis, the three dots are placed in the location where the omitted text would have been. It is important to note that the ellipsis should not be used to change the meaning of the quote or to misrepresent the speaker's words. The quote should still accurately reflect the original meaning of the speaker's words, even with the omitted text.
It is also important to use quotation ellipsis sparingly. Overuse of the punctuation mark can make the quote difficult to read and can disrupt the flow of the text. In general, quotation ellipsis should only be used when it is necessary to remove text from the quote.
Examples of Quotation Ellipsis
Here is an example of quotation ellipsis in action:
"The only thing we have to fear is...fear itself."
In this example, the quote is from Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inaugural address. The omitted text is "nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
Question and Answer
Q: Is it acceptable to alter a quote using quotation ellipsis?
A: No, quotation ellipsis should only be used to indicate where text has been removed from a quote. Altering a quote using ellipsis could change the meaning of the original quote and is not acceptable.
Q: Can quotation ellipsis be used to omit part of a quote that is offensive or inappropriate?
A: No, quotation ellipsis should not be used to remove offensive or inappropriate language from a quote. If the language is truly offensive or inappropriate, it may be best to omit the quote entirely or to paraphrase it in a way that accurately reflects the speaker's meaning without including the offensive language.
Conclusion
Quotation ellipsis is a useful punctuation mark that can help streamline quotes and make them more readable. It is important to use the punctuation mark sparingly and to only use it when it is necessary to remove text from the quote. When used correctly, quotation ellipsis can help make writing clearer and more concise.
