How to Use an Ellipsis in a Quote
Mastering the Ellipsis in Academic Writing
To use an ellipsis in a quote, you must identify irrelevant text, replace it with three periods, and ensure grammatical integrity. This technique allows you to condense long quotes while maintaining academic accuracy. This guide covers the specific steps for omitting text within sentences, between sentences, and across style guides.
Step 1: Identify the Omission Point
Start by selecting the quote you intend to use and determine which parts are essential to your argument. Identify the specific words, phrases, or sentences that can be removed without losing the core message. Use an ellipsis only when the omitted text is redundant or tangential. Avoid removing words that provide necessary context or qualifiers, as this can lead to 'quote mining' or misrepresentation. Read the original sentence carefully to ensure that the remaining parts can still function as a logical, cohesive thought once the middle section is removed.
Step 2: Format the Three-Dot Ellipsis
Write the first part of the quote, then insert three periods with spaces between them. Most style guides, including Chicago and APA, prefer a space before the first dot, between each dot, and after the last dot ( . . . ). However, some modern word processors and MLA styles allow for the pre-formatted ellipsis character (…). Check your specific style manual for spacing preferences. The goal is to signal to the reader exactly where the text was cut. Ensure that the words immediately preceding and following the ellipsis still form a grammatically sound structure.
Step 3: Handle Omissions Between Sentences
If you are omitting an entire sentence or the end of one sentence and the beginning of the next, you must use a four-dot ellipsis. The first dot is the period of the first sentence, followed by the three dots of the ellipsis. This indicates to the reader that the omission spans a sentence boundary. Maintain the capitalization of the new sentence following the ellipsis if it was capitalized in the original source. This ensures the reader understands that the quote is a compilation of two distinct thoughts rather than a single continuous phrase.
Ellipsis Usage Examples
Original Quote: 'The rapid development of AI technology, which has surprised even the most optimistic researchers in the field, is currently reshaping the global economy.' **Example 1: Internal Omission** `"The rapid development of AI technology . . . is currently reshaping the global economy."` **Example 2: Omission Between Sentences** Original: 'The study was conclusive. It proved that students who use AI tools effectively see a 20% increase in productivity.' `"The study was conclusive. . . . students who use AI tools effectively see a 20% increase in productivity."`
Common Ellipsis Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these frequent errors when condensing quotes:
- Changing the meaning: Never use an ellipsis to remove words like 'not' or 'however' that change the author's original intent.
- Overusing dots: An ellipsis is always three dots (or four at the end of a sentence). Never use two dots or five or more dots.
- Starting with an ellipsis: Do not begin a quote with an ellipsis. If you start mid-sentence, simply begin the quote at the relevant word.
- Grammatical fragments: Ensure the remaining quote is a complete thought or fits grammatically into your own sentence.
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