Words that introduce Quotes or Paraphrases

Neutral Verbs: When used to introduce a quote, the following verbs basically mean "says."

Sample Sentences:

Remember that you are required to cite your sources for paraphrases and direct quotes. For more information on MLA or APA style citations, refer to our MLA Style General Guidelines, or our APA Style General Guidelines.

• Dr. Billow says that being exposed to television violence at a young age desensitizes children to violence in real life.
• As the author notes, "In an ideal classroom, both gifted children and learning disabled children should feel challenged."
• Burdow believes that being able to write using proper English grammar is an important skill.
• Dr. Patel observes that "most people tend to respond well to hypnotherapy."
• We see this self doubt again in the second scene, when Agatha comments, "Oh, times like this I just don't know whether I am right or wrong, good or bad."
• Goeff then relates that his childhood was "the time he learned to live on less than bread alone."
• The author declares, "All people, rich or poor, should pay the same taxes to the government."
• Godfried remarks, "Ignorance is a skill learned by many of the greatest fools."
• The article discusses the qualities of a good American housewife in the 1950s.
• After the war is over, the General reports that "It seemed a useless battle to fight even from the start."
• Danelli explains, "All mammals have hair."
• The author reveals his true feelings with his ironic remark that we should "just resort to cannibalism to defeat world hunger."
• Forton expresses disapproval of the American welfare system.
• The author states that "More than fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce."
• He also mentions that "many children grow up feeling responsible for their parents' mistakes."
• Jones acknowledges that although the divorce rate is increasing, most young children still dream of getting married.
• The author suggests that we hone our English skills before venturing into the work force.
• The author thinks that the recent weather has been too hot.
• Folsh points out that there were hundreds of people from varying backgrounds at the convention.
• Julia Hertz responded to allegations that her company was aware of the faulty tires on their cars.
• His research shows that 7% of Americans suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder.
• Jostin's research confirmed his earlier hypothesis: mice really are smarter than rats.

Stronger Verbs: These verbs indicate that there is some kind of argument, and that the quote shows either support of or disagreement with one side of the argument.

Sample Sentences:

• Despite criticism, Johnston agrees that smoking should be banned in all public places.
• The author argues that "subjecting non-smokers to toxic second-hand smoke is not only unfair, but a violation of their right to a safe environment."
• Vick asserts that "cigarette smoke is unpleasant, and dangerous."
• The author cautions that "people who subject themselves to smoky bars night after night could develop illnesses such as emphysema or lung cancer."
• Rosentrhaw emphasizes that "second-hand smoke can kill."
• Still, tobacco company executives insist that they "were not fully aware of the long term damages caused by smoking" when they launched their nationwide advertising campaign.
• Though bar owners disagree, Johnston maintains that banning smoking in all public places will not negatively affect bar business.
• Jefferson claims that banning smoking in public places will hurt America's economy.
• Johnson refutes allegations that his personal finances have been in trouble for the past five years.
• Whiley rejects the idea that the earth could have been formed by a massive explosion in space.
• Lucci compares the likelihood of finding life on Mars to the likelihood of finding a needle in a haystack.
• Although they have stopped short of admitting that smoking causes cancer in humans, tobacco companies have admitted that "smoking causes cancer in laboratory rats."
• For years, local residents have been disputing the plans to build a new highway right through the center of town.
• Residents contend that the new highway will lower property values.
• The Department of Transportation denies claims that the new bridge will damage the fragile ecosystem of the Potomac River.
• People Working to Protect the Potomac (PWPP) insist that the new bridge will have irreversible damaging effects on the Potomac River environment.
• Joley endorses the bridge, saying "our goal is to make this city more accessible to those who live outside of it."
• Congressman Peters agrees that the Department of Transportation should "go ahead and start building the bridge."

Inference Verbs: These verbs can be used to analyze a quote.
These indicate that the reader has made an inference based on the text.

Sample Sentences:

• By calling them ignorant, the author implies that they were unschooled and narrow minded.
• Her preoccupation with her looks suggests that she is too superficial to make her a believable character.
• Based on his research, we can assume Hatfield thinks that our treatment of our environment has been careless.

One phrase that is often used to introduce a quotation is,

Sample Sentence:
According to the author, children with ADD have a shorter attention span than children without ADD.

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