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Don't Speak- Someone Else Says It Better

Quotes, when used to open an argument can set the tone and sometimes the entire mood of a write. Ending a write with a quote can also put the power in the final
Don’t Speak- Somebody Else Might Have Said it Best

The power of quotes

Welcome to the world. If you’re new here, I’m sure you’ve watched people open their mouths without any real evidence or backing to various arguments. So have I. In fact, a personal mission of mine is to work with quotes. Sometimes what somebody else said is a lot stronger- and having that kind of backing in your writing will certainly up-it a few notches.

Why quote?
Proving your argument beyond school essays and work reports is always a valid point. It’s easy to put someone in their place or settle an argument with a quote. Quotes, when used to open an argument can set the tone and sometimes the entire mood of a write. Ending a write with a quote can also put the power in the finale! Nothing is better than opening or finishing with a quote- I find it gives the write strength. How better to prove your point than show you’re not alone!

They also…
Quotes can also inspire you at the very least. Or make you laugh at the idiot that said whatever it was in the first place.

Maybe someday someone’ll quote me!

Included in the list

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1 - 9 of 9

  • silica silver member
    October 19, 2005
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    In the original introduction to ‘Don Quixote’ Miguel Cervantes takes advice from a neighbour – who advises him to liberally sprinkle quotes by many famous people – to give the work erudition… it would seem that some good advice is not subject to a sell-by date…


  • amaranth816
    August 4, 2005
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    I'm really enjoying reading your lessons... You have some really, really good points that we all really should adhere to. (or to which we should really adhere!)

    In one of your other columns, you invited people to correct your grammar, punctuation, etc. Now, I think it's a bit stupid and OCD to go through and correct every comma, every semicolon, every run on, and all that stuff. But I do think that you might want to know this...

    The word "quote" is a verb, as in "to quote" or "Maybe someday someone’ll quote me!" (kryspin, allpoetry.com/column/1327066). The word "quotation" is the noun that should be used when talking about that one thing that can "put someone in their place or settle an argument" (krypsin, allpoetry.com/column/1327066). OK, enough with the jokes...

    Great information, though! I wish more people would follow these simple rules...

    Kyla

  • BattleOfBlood
    June 18, 2005
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    I love using quotes, not so much in writes but in everyday things. I use them to get by in life, I dont know people who have gone before us usually hold more truth in there words then the idiots that walk around us now.

    Tomorrow I will live, the fool does say: today itself's too late; the wise lived yesterday
    --Martial
    Edited on Jun 18, 5:46 p.m. because ''.

  • lavender shadows
    June 16, 2005
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    "Quotes can also inspire you at the very least. Or make you laugh at the idiot that said whatever it was in the first place." kryspin


    Sorry... I just had to do that after reading your last line! (lol) I really like quotes and whenever I write persuasive essays or such, I always try to use some to support my arguments. If you are thinking something, somebody else probably thought it before!

    ...Although I don't believe that one should litter their work with quotations, make sure that what you want said gets in there as well. Just use it as an inspiration or to support your arguments. (I forget where I saw it, but I saw a text once where nearly the whole thing was quotations. Don't be afraid to use your own words as well!)

    Anyhow, another great informative write!

    ~lavender shadows~

  • heartnsoul
    June 15, 2005
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    Quotes,the power of experience and observation shared so that other's may learn. Some may be old and worn, but still have their place.

  • I-Like-Rhymes gold member
    June 15, 2005
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    Whilst I agree on the power and usefulness of quotes we must remember Mathew Chapter 13, especially "and some fell on stony ground". The quotes will often wither away or fly way over the heads of the recipients because they have no depth to their knowledge.
    So we should not just use them automatically. We should judge from the item we are reading what level we should communicate on. Also if quotes are used we should endeavour to attribute them.
    Jim S
  • blutinkerbell
    June 15, 2005
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    Definitely agreeable! I love quotes, I wish I knew more. My favorite for the moment is "Excuses, tools of the weak and incompetant" Don't know the speaker of it, however I picked it up from my English teacher =)
  • Rambler
    June 15, 2005
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    I'm a strong believer in using quotes. I've found that the best way to get them is to read widely. It's like walking instead of taking a plane. You run into all manner of things you otherwise would not in the most unexpected places. An on point quote is like hanging your words on a well driven nail.
  • QuinnTessEntity
    June 15, 2005
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    "She had a pretty gift for quotation, which is a serviceable substitute for wit" - Someset Maugham.

    I am a big fan of quotation - although it must be said that quotes, like any other element in writing, can lose their impact with overuse. Too often writers rely too much on what others say rather than using the words of others to bolster their own writing or to punctuate a point. If I were to add any additional advice to this column, it would be to say that quotes are to writing what spice is to food - its there to accentuate the flavor, not to overpower it.

    Another good write, and good information.

    Cheers!
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