I need a english teachers help: When should a direct quote be set off from the rest of the paragraph?

Question

I need a english teachers help: When should a direct quote be set off from the rest of the paragraph?

Answer 1

I assume you mean long quotes.

The rules are different for every teacher--I would recommend asking yours. I've always been taught that if it's 4 single-space lines or more, you set it off.

Answer 2

the rule usually is when the quote is seven words or more, but go for like ten and you should be okay. but try not to make the quote too long, most teachers hate those.

Answer 3

  If you're introducing a new character, then start a new paragraph.  For example, if you're talking about a meeting between two friends named Tom and Mary and you've just spent the whole paragraph talking about how Tom is running around his apartment in an attempt to straighten it up before Mary arrives, don't have Mary walking into the room and greeting Tom in the same paragraph.  Mary's words should start the next paragraph.  If Tom responds or does something in response ( like quickly hiding his dust rag behind his back), then begin a new paragraph for Tom.  Therefore:

     Tom ran from table to table, furiously dusting before Mary's arrival.  He shoved magazines under the sofa, threw empty pizza boxes and paper cups out the window, and threw pillows back on the chairs.  Suddenly, he heard the door open.

     "Hey, Tom!" Mary burst into the room.  "This place looks great!"

       Tom quickly hid the dust rag behind his back and kicked a stray sock under the chair.

    If you're writing a research paper and you're including a very long quote (more than one or two lines, set it off in a separate paragraph that has been indented.

Answer 4

When you pause. Plus remember to us an instead of a, when it comes before a word that starts with a vowel. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

General rule is that if the quote will take up more than 2 lines of your paper, you should set it off by indenting.

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