What is the maximum amount of your paper that should be a direct quotation?
A. 15%
B. 20%
C. 25@
D. No maximum as long as all material is cited properly.
I say B
For this, you'll need to consult your text. Different texts say different things!
Generally, the rule is 25 percent.
According to generally accepted academic guidelines, the maximum amount of your paper that should be a direct quotation is usually recommended to be around 15% to 20%. Therefore, option B is the most accurate answer.
To determine the maximum amount of your paper that should be a direct quotation, you need to consider the general guidelines for using quotations in academic writing.
Direct quotations should be used sparingly and only when necessary. The purpose of using quotes is to support your own ideas or illustrate a specific point, rather than relying on someone else's words entirely.
Most style guides, such as the MLA (Modern Language Association) or APA (American Psychological Association), recommend avoiding excessive direct quotations. They suggest that direct quotations make up no more than 10-15% of your paper. Therefore, using a maximum of 15% to ensure that the majority of your writing is in your own words is a commonly accepted practice.
However, it's important to note that there are no strict rules or universally agreed-upon percentages when it comes to the maximum amount of direct quotations. Some professors or disciplines may have different preferences or requirements.
Given the options provided, none of them specifically mention the commonly recommended 10-15% range. While B suggests 20%, which is close, it is not an exact match. Therefore, the closest option based on the given choices would be D - there is no maximum as long as all material is cited properly. This option acknowledges that if all quotations are accurately cited, you technically have the freedom to use as many direct quotes as necessary. However, it's still important to be mindful of using quotations effectively and focusing on developing your ideas in your own words as much as possible.