1. Use Ellipses (…):
* Purpose: Ellipses indicate that you've removed text from the original quote.
* Placement: Place the ellipses at the beginning of the quote to show you've omitted text from the start of the sentence.
* Example:
Original: "The cat sat on the mat, which was covered in colorful yarn, and purred contentedly."
Your Quote: "...which was covered in colorful yarn, and purred contentedly."
2. Use a "Quote Introduction":
* Purpose: Contextualize the quote and show where it fits in the original text.
* Example:
Original: "The cat sat on the mat, which was covered in colorful yarn, and purred contentedly."
Your Quote: "The author describes the scene, saying, '...which was covered in colorful yarn, and purred contentedly.'"
3. Consider the Context:
* Relevance: Make sure the quote you're selecting is relevant to your point and contributes meaningfully to your writing.
* Accuracy: Always double-check that the quote is accurate and reflects the original meaning. Don't change the meaning by selectively omitting parts of the sentence.
Important Note:
* Copyright: It's important to cite your source correctly to avoid plagiarism. This includes the author's name, the book title, and the page number where the quote appears.
* Fair Use: Make sure you're using the quote within the guidelines of "fair use." Generally, you can quote a reasonable amount of material for educational, scholarly, or critical purposes.
In short, when copying a quote that starts in the middle of a sentence, use ellipses to indicate the omission of text and provide context for the reader to understand the quote within its original context.