This is a homework question, but one I have been curious about since I could pick up a book. Why are there brackets around random words in a quote?
For example on book reviews there are brackets around one or a few words and I can't understand why.
Those are words that are inserted into the quote to make it read correctly when taken out of context.
"[You] come here."
When in fact, I point my finger at him, and said "come here".
http://www.esc.edu/htmlpages/writerold/menuq.htm
look at the section titled Adding information to a quote
The use of brackets around words in a quote serves a specific purpose. Brackets are typically used to indicate that the original text has been modified or altered in some way. Here are a few common reasons for using brackets in quotes:
1. Clarification: Sometimes, when quoting someone, you might need to add a word or phrase for clarification or to provide context. To distinguish these additions from the original text, brackets are used. For example, if the original quote was "I am [very] excited," the added word "very" clarifies the speaker's level of excitement.
2. Omission: When quoting a longer passage, you may want to omit certain words or phrases that are not relevant to your point. In such cases, you can use brackets to indicate the omission. For example, if the original quote was "They went [to the park] and played [soccer]," but you only need the first part, you can write it as "They went [to the park] and played."
3. Error correction: If the original quote contains a grammatical or spelling error, you can use brackets to indicate the correction. For instance, if the original quote was "He was a [man] of few word," you could correct the error, and the corrected quote would be "He was a [man] of few words."
It's important to note that when using brackets, you should strive to maintain the original intended meaning and not misrepresent the author's intent. The purpose of using brackets is to ensure accuracy while still providing necessary modifications or clarifications.