Lesson 1.4 – Direct Quotations: ‘a’ and ‘the’ and ‘etc’
(c.) Be sure not to include such words as 'a' and 'the' at the beginning or 'etc.' at the end of the quotation unless these words were actually part of the original quote.
Example:
Original Quote: Helen’s exact words were, “The presentation he gave was first-rate.”
Quote Taken From Original Quote: Helen told me you gave a “first-rate” presentation.
(Note: “First-rate” is the only portion directly quoted from the original quote.)
Example:
Q: I am now going to ask you about the car accident you were in on March 1, 2001.
A: When you say a “car” wreck, I was actually in an SUV.
(Note: “Car” is the only word directly quoted from the original quote.)