The last thing you would want is get your score cancelled on account of plagiarism. (One in the introductory paragraph and the other if necessary in the conclusion) How do I introduce the quote in my own words? As a rule of thumb, refrain from using more than 2 quotes in any essay. So, don’t cram every quote you know into the essay. It is your essay and it should be your voice that needs to be heard, not some notable/famous person’s. This would downplay your own voice and leaves little room for your own ideas. If you deploy a lot of quotations in your essay, it appears as though several people are talking about the topic apart from yourself. (but remember that you still have to cite the original author even when you are paraphrasing)įor example, Ronald Reagan said, “Trust, but verify.” You can alter the quotation on your own according to the passage, by saying: ‘To paraphrase Ronald Reagan’s famous quote, “It is easier to trust when you can verify.”‘ By doing this, you are not only citing the original author, but also gaining extra points for using your own version of the quote. If you want to borrow an idea from the author but don’t put the idea in their exact words, then it’s called paraphrasing. You should quote when you believe that the way the original author expresses an idea is the most effective way to communicate the point you wish to make.

Using the exact words from the original source is called quoting. Can I alter the structure of the quotation? Either way, to get a perfect score on the GRE essay, use a relevant quote strategically but don’t force it into the essay. You can also comment on the quotation in this introductory paragraph if you wish. This can have a major impact on the evaluator. You should start writing your essay with a quote that lays foundation to the main idea behind the essay. If the quote doesn’t serve any of the above then you are forcing it into the essay and this could do more harm than good. concludes the essay with a point to contemplate.makes your essay look more promising and interesting.creates the initial impact on the essay grader.How do I incorporate quotes into my essay?Īt times, an essay can appear painfully discorded if the quotations are out of place or if the essay is too stuffed with quotes.Ī great quote plays one or more roles from the following: Here is how you make sure you are doing it right. Only use quotes as is, if you are convinced that paraphrasing would lower the impact or change the meaning of the original author’s words or when the argument could not be better expressed or said more succinctly. Plus, essays with quotes tend to score better than essays without them, because of the initial impact the use of quotes create on the reader, and help strengthen your point.īut we need to exercise prudence.

So, why should you use essay quotes on the GRE? To start with, the right use of quotes in essays augments the power of your arguments and makes your essays appear more convincing. I know so, because I’m guilty of neglecting quotes on the GRE. MilneĬhances are you too know a few famous quotes, but you probably don’t use them. “ quotation is a handy thing to have about, saving one the trouble of thinking for oneself, always a laborious business.” – A.A.

Tool reflection quotation