Other ways to incorporate a quote?

I incorporate quotes with: (author's name) wrote, "....". Does anyone know a different way to incorporate quotes? something other than " author wrote, "..."

Thanks

Greetings!

This is a good question! Your writing will be better if you switch things up a bit. You could say, "[Author] had a unique perspective on this question: "[insert quote]." Or, "As [author] noted, "[insert quote]."

Sometimes you can use the reason you are incorporating the quote to help you. For example, let's say you are drawing a contrast between one viewpoint and another: "The Puritans thought life should consist of hard work, but Butler had a different perspective: "...the principle business of life is to enjoy it." Keeping in mind why you are quoting the author can help you introduce the quote more smoothly.

If you'd like specific suggestions on an essay you've written, I'd be glad to help!

Thanks,

Sarah, EssayForum.com

Hi Sarah,

"Without the vigilant eye of a parent watching over her, Victoria adapts to adulthood by making reckless mistakes, some of which may have perpetual effects. "

Is this sentence redundant? vigilant and watching. is there a better way to repharse it?

Does this sentence make sense and is there a better way to repharse it?: Victoria's blunder has caused her to be the center of mockery.

Thanks so much!

Greetings!

I don't find anything patently wrong with either sentence. You're correct that "vigilant" means "watchful" but the way you have constructed it, the sentence does not strike me as redundant.

As for the second sentence, the only thing I would caution about is tense. Your first sentence has Victoria's action in present tense; the second, in perfect tense. That may fit in just fine, in context, but it's something to be aware of.

I'm seeing them out of context, but as far as I can tell, they both appear to be prime examples of good writing!

Thanks,

Sarah, EssayForum.com

o yea opps I need to watch out for tenses.

is it
Victoria is push from one house to another until she and her baby finally seeks refuge at the McPherons.

or

Victoria is pushed from one house to another until she and her baby finally seeks refuge at the McPherons.

if its to be in present tense, not perfect tense.

is this sentence also in present tense?

" Dwayne could have easily caused brain damage to the baby. "

Thanks

Greetings!

I'd go with "Victoria is pushed from one house to another until she and her baby finally seek refuge at the McPherons." Be sure to use the proper verb form.

As far as I can tell from your examples, there's nothing wrong with using the present perfect tense with present tense, especially if you are writing a review, which appears to be the case. You'd want to be more aware of mixing in past perfect ("had caused"). I'd need to see the whole essay to say for certain that the tenses were correct.

Hope this helps!

Thanks,

Sarah, EssayForum.com

is there a way to combine or improve on these three sentences?

Victoria has only been acquainted with Dwayne for only a year and half. It takes more than two years to really know a person. She doesn't know anything about him.

Thanks

Greetings!

Well, first off, it's best not to use a word ("only") twice in one sentence; you don't need the first one: "Victoria has been acquainted with Dwayne for only a year and a half. (You left out the "a".)

Secondly, you make an assertion that "It takes more than two years to really know a person." Where did you get this information? Is that from the story, or is it your opinion? If it's from the story, something a character has said he or she believes, then say so. For example: "She recalls George telling her that it takes more than two years to really know a person." If it's your opinion, I'd take it out, because that's a subjective assessment. Reasonable minds might differ. ;-)

One more observation: normally, in formal writing, we don't use contractions. You could say "She does not know anything about him" or "She knows nothing about him." But, does Victoria really not know "anything" about Dwayne, or would it be more accurate to say she knows very little about him? Just a thought.

Thanks,

Sarah, EssayForum.com

Starting an essay discussing a quote

Hey

I'm having a bit of trouble starting an essay and was wondering if anyone could give me some guidance. The essay involves discussing a quote we've been given.

I've started the body of the essay but not really sure how to start the first sentence and paragraph!

Any help would be great thanks.

You could start the essay by introducing the quote itself, afterwards explaining it in a few words. That could give you at least a small paragraph. Or you could give the historical context of the quote (an explanation of anykind on the time periode or the social context of the quote) then afterwards present the quote. It is important to mention the quote in the introduction of your essay.

Hope this helps!