A quote from an article is a direct excerpt or a verbatim reproduction of a specific portion of
the article's text. This excerpt is usually enclosed in quotation marks to indicate that it is the
exact wording from the source. Quotes are used in writing to provide evidence, support
arguments, or convey a particular idea or point made by the original author.
For example, if you were writing a paragraph about climate change and wanted to include a
quote from a scientific article, it might look something like this:
Deforestation, human activity, impacts climate change by reducing the Earth's capacity to
absorb carbon dioxide through the removal of forests, which act as carbon sinks. For
example, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels release greenhouse gases like
carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse
effect, leading to rising global temperatures. In fact, in a study published in the journal
Nature, researchers concluded that “the increase in global temperatures is primarily driven
by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation" (Smith, 2020:45).
Smith's 2020 study reinforces the need for international cooperation and policy initiatives
aimed at reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change to prevent further
environmental consequences.
Reference: Smith, J. 2020. "The Increase in Global Temperatures: Human Activities, Fossil
Fuel Burning, and Deforestation." Nature, 45(7), 1234-1256. DOI:
10.1038/nature.2020.9876.
In the example above the quote (with the in-text reference) is integrated into the paragraph as
evidence to support the previous ideas. Always remember that where you include an intext
reference you must also include the full end-of-text reference.
There are various reasons why is it useful to include quotes from the article into your writing.
• Quotes can help clarify complex concepts or ideas by using the original author's words. This
ensures that you accurately convey the intended meaning of the source material.
• Quotes from reputable sources, such as academic articles, enhance the credibility of your
writing. They show that you have done your research and are engaging with established
experts or scholars in the field.
• Incorporating quotes allows you to incorporate different voices and perspectives into your
writing. This demonstrates that you have considered multiple viewpoints, fostering a well�rounded and balanced discussion.
• Properly cited quotes help you avoid plagiarism. When you attribute the source of the
quote, you give credit to the original author, which is essential for ethical writing.
When quoting you will only use the in-text reference, not the full reference.
Useful verbs for citations
Verbs for citations, also known as reporting verbs, or verbs of saying or thinking, link an in�text reference with a quotation or paraphrase. One of the most common ways to incorporate
in-text citation into your writing is to use ‘reporting’ verbs to present the information.
Below is a table of useful reporting verbs that you might use with citations.
- advocate the view
- analyze
- argue
- believe
- claim
- comment
- compare
- concede
- conclude
- confirm
- criticize
- define
- demonstrate
- present
arguments to
emphasize
- propose
- recognize
- remarks
- report
- show
- describe
- discuss
- dispute
- discover
- emphasises
- establish
- estimate
- evaluate
- explains
- hold the position
- illustrate
- indicate
- investigate
- maintain
- notes
- observe
- point out
- predict
- stipulate
- suggest
- validate
- state
- verify
For example:
• Smith (2010) argues that climate change is a pressing issue.
• The study by Taylor (2012) states that there is a correlation between X and Y.
• Brown (1989) and Davies (2000) claims that biodiversity have significant implications
on economic development.
• Lopez (2013:3) explains that “Biodiversity includes plants, animals, fungi, and other
living things”.
• Various studies (Miller, 2022; Wilson, 2023) confirm that ecosystems with a lot of
biodiversity are generally stronger and more resistant to disaster than those with
fewer species.
• Johnson (2010:25) defines biodiversity as “all the different kinds of living organisms
within a given area”.
Find quotes from the article to answer the following questions. Include the in-text reference
with page number!
Full reference: Nathaniel S. (2023) Natural Resources, Urbanisation, Economic Growth and
the Ecological Footprint in South Africa: The Moderating Role of Human Capital. Quaestiones
Geographicae, Vol.40 (Issue 2),
So in your case, it will be: Nathaniel (2023:_) (the _ represents the page number)
What is the main problem or issue that the author is addressing?
To find the main problem or issue that the author is addressing, the first step is to carefully read the article and identify key points where the author discusses challenges, concerns, or conflicts. Look for statements or passages that highlight the central problem or issue that the author is focused on.
For example, if the article discusses the impact of urbanization on natural resources, economic growth, and the ecological footprint in South Africa, the main problem or issue being addressed could be the unsustainable use of natural resources due to rapid urbanization and economic development.
To answer this question, you could look for a quote from the article where the author specifically mentions the main problem or issue they are addressing. It is essential to include the in-text reference with the page number to properly cite the quote.
For example, the quote could be: "The unsustainable use of natural resources due to rapid urbanization and economic growth is a pressing issue in South Africa" (Nathaniel, 2023: _).
By using a direct quote with an in-text reference, you can accurately convey the main problem or issue addressed by the author in your writing.