* Adding Words for Clarity: Brackets are used to insert words into a quotation that aren't originally part of the source material. This is done to make the meaning clearer or to help the quote fit smoothly into the sentence.
* Example: "The cat sat on the [window] sill," she said.
* The original quote might have said "The cat sat on the sill," but by adding "[window]" we clarify which sill.
* Grammatical Adjustments: Sometimes, you might need to change a word's form within a quotation to ensure it grammatically agrees with your sentence. Brackets are used to show these changes.
* Example: He claimed, "I [am] the best player in the league."
* The original quote might have been "I is the best player," but we use "[am]" to correct the grammatical error and fit the quotation into a first-person sentence.
Important Note: When using brackets, it's crucial to be accurate and only add information that is necessary to make the quotation clear and grammatical without changing its original meaning.
Let me know if you have any specific examples you'd like to work on!