quotation

A quotation is like borrowing words from someone else—but with credit! It is when you repeat a person's exact words, usually to support your own point or show what someone else thinks. Think of it as giving a little voice to another person within your own writing or speech.

You might find quotations in essays, articles, speeches, or even everyday conversation. When using a quotation, you always need to indicate who said it—that's the "attribution." For example, "To be or not to be, that is the question," is a famous quotation from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Sometimes people misattribute quotations (claiming the wrong person said something!), so checking your sources is important. A clever use of a quotation can add weight and authority to whatever you are saying.

A quotation, at its heart, is the exact repetition of words spoken or written by another person. It is more than just paraphrasing; it is using their precise language to capture their original intent. We use quotations for many reasons: to lend credibility to an argument, illustrate a point with authority, offer evidence, or simply share wisdom from someone else.

You will encounter quotations in academic writing (where they must be properly cited!), journalism, speeches, and even casual conversation. Think of it like building with LEGOs—you are taking pre-made pieces (the words) and incorporating them into your own creation. However, just as you need instructions to build correctly, you need proper attribution to identify the speaker or writer.

The term "quotation" also has a specific meaning in the world of business: it refers to a formal statement of the estimated cost for goods or services. For example, "We received a quotation from three different contractors before starting the renovation." This usage comes from the idea of "quoting" a specific price. Whether it is a price estimate or a piece of language that captures a strong feeling, a well-chosen quotation can be incredibly powerful and stay with listeners long after it has been shared. Think of Benjamin Franklin's famous words: "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." It is short, memorable, and still relevant today!