Ellipses (...) are crucial for accurately representing source material within the context of your writing. However, their proper use, especially within the strictures of APA style, can be tricky. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to confidently and correctly utilize ellipses in your APA papers, ensuring accuracy and avoiding plagiarism.
What are Ellipses Used For in APA Style?
In APA style, ellipses are used to indicate the omission of words, sentences, or paragraphs from a direct quotation. This is essential when you only need a portion of a quote to support your point, preventing lengthy, distracting excerpts. Mastering ellipses prevents misrepresentation and strengthens the integrity of your research.
Key Considerations:
- Accuracy: Ellipses should only be used to omit words; never alter the meaning of the original text. Always ensure that the remaining quote accurately reflects the author's intent.
- Context: The omitted material shouldn't change the meaning of the remaining quote. If the omission could alter the meaning, you must use brackets to indicate any necessary changes, a concept we'll explore in detail below.
- Spacing: In APA, there should be three periods with spaces between them, not just three consecutive periods. This is a crucial distinction.
How to Use Ellipses Correctly Within a Quote
The placement of ellipses depends on where the omission occurs within the quote:
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Mid-sentence Omission: Use three spaced periods (...) to indicate the removal of words from within a sentence. For example:
"The quick brown fox... jumped over the lazy dog."
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Omission at the Beginning of a Sentence: If you omit words from the beginning of a sentence, you still begin with a capital letter after the ellipsis. For instance:
"... the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog."
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Omission at the End of a Sentence: If you omit words at the end of a sentence, you use the period of the original sentence before the ellipsis, then add your own period. For instance, if the original sentence ended in a period, you'd write:
"The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog....”
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Omission of Multiple Sentences or Paragraphs: Use a period (.), followed by three spaced periods, followed by another period, to show a full sentence has been omitted from the quote. This indicates the omission is of a substantial section, not just a few words. For example:
"The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. ...The end."
Using Brackets with Ellipses in APA Style
Sometimes, even omitting words isn't enough to seamlessly integrate the quote into your writing. You might need to clarify a pronoun or alter tense. In these cases, you use brackets [ ] to indicate your changes. This transparency ensures that the reader can fully understand the modifications.
Example:
Original quote: "He went to the store."
Modified quote (with clarification): "The author stated that [he] went to the store." Here, the brackets clarify that "he" refers to the author.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if I need to omit the last sentence of a quote?
Use a period followed by three spaced periods to show that a sentence or more is removed. The ellipsis indicates omitted text, while the period denotes the end of a sentence.
Should I use ellipses if I only shorten a quote by a word or two?
No, usually it's better to use the quote in its entirety or paraphrase if only a few words are omitted. The use of ellipses is for more extensive omissions.
Can I use ellipses at the beginning and end of a quote?
Yes, this is perfectly acceptable if the beginning and the end of the quote are not relevant to your argument. Just remember to follow the rules for placement and spacing.
How do I cite a direct quote with ellipses correctly in APA?
Always follow the standard APA citation rules for direct quotes, including the page number of the source and using quotation marks. The presence of ellipses doesn't change the basic citation requirements.
Conclusion
Properly using ellipses in APA style demonstrates careful attention to detail and scholarly integrity. By understanding the rules outlined above, you can confidently and accurately integrate quotations into your academic work, avoiding misrepresentation of source material and creating a more readable and professional piece of writing. Remember, accuracy and transparency are key.
