How To Quote A Famous Quote

By Tiara

A famous quote is a short phrase or sentence that makes you laugh, inspires you, and/or teaches you something about life. It can be funny, profound, motivational, or all of these at once!

A classic example of a quotable line is “Never trust a man who does not drink beer”- clearly someone wanted to keep his hands occupied while keeping an eye on their surroundings.

With this article, we will go over some easy ways to include quotes in your writing. Plus, we will discuss how to use a good source of online quotations for inspiration. So, let's get started!

How to Add Quotes In Writing

Using Authors' Work

When done properly, no one would know what the original said except for you. For instance, if you read a book with a strong character, you may want to refer to those notes to see what qualities they possessed and what actions they took.

You could then incorporate those traits into your own characters to make them more like the personage. Or you could emphasize those things even further and give your characters those features as shades of themes or plots.

This way, it becomes your story with only you adding the changes and developments.

Provide a source

how to quote a famous quote

In any situation where you want to quote someone, make sure you provide them as a source. This includes if you are quoting something that person said directly or paraphrasing their words.

If you don’t include a source, people may question the authenticity of your quote. They might even assume the worst about you and/or the quoted individual.

Quote a source

how to quote a famous quote

A famous quote is usually a sentence or short phrase that makes you laugh, inspires you, or both. It’s typically very well-known because people recognize it and know what context it belongs in.

Many people use quotes in conversations, creating their own versions of the said quote. Others add their own twist to the quoted saying, making it their own.

Provide other famous quotes that are similar to this one

how to quote a famous quote

Sometimes, people may refer to a popular saying or quotation as an empty phrase or cliché. This is not always appropriate. If you find that happening, it’s worth looking into why they quoted it before adding your own opinion onto the statement.

It’t can be fun to add your own twist to a classic quote, but make sure you give credit to the original source. It will show respect for their work and will help promote literacy by sharing a literature lesson.

Provide another source

how to quote a famous quote

Sometimes, people take short cuts in quoting famous quotes. They will pick up a phrase or sentence fragment and add an unrelated word to make it their own. This is not only annoying to read, but also misleading.

It may seem clever at first, but then you feel like you are wasting your time listening to someone talk about something that clearly doesn’t apply to you.

Don’t do this!

Give credit where credit is due by providing a direct source for the quoted line.

Compile a list of famous quotes

how to quote a famous quote

A well-curated collection of famous quotations can come in handy as you grow older and learn new things about life. You do not have to read every book, but picking up a few good ones is worth your time.

Many people have left their mark on the world through their words and thus, many great men and women are known for a particular phrase or statement that they made.

These pieces of wisdom are sometimes referred to as “quotes” because they contain a clever saying accompanied by an explanation.

Some people write down these quotes in little notes or even word documents to remember them more easily. Others make a habit of rereading parts of books with repeated phrases or illustrations of the quoted message.

In this article, we will discuss some ways to quote run-on sentences so you can repeat these gems to impress others.

He who has never been discouraged cannot teach anyone how to be discouraged. – Cicero

And now let us see how to use a running sentence as a powerful tool to emphasize a fact.

Running sentences are characterized by long and short elements which create a fluid style. The first part is usually a topic and the second part is a detail or assertion related to the topic.

Usually, the topic comes before the rising action (the start) and the falling action (the conclusion) of a story. In other words, it is what makes the narrative flow.

Look up the quote and source in the dictionary

how to quote a famous quote

When quoting a famous saying, make sure you are aware of the origins and context of the statement! In fact, looking up the quotes can help you hone your skills as a good quotier. For example, if someone quoted “Life is like a journey,” they may not know where that expression originated.

The first time this phrase appeared was in the 1920s in an article written by William Ernest Johnson titled 10 Rules for Living. He rephrased it and added a new part but left out the word journey because he thought it sounded too spiritual.

So, what did he say? The full version is: “Live life with passion or die trying.” This completely changes how you perceive the meaning of the sentence.

Instead of living a peaceful, quiet existence, this says we should live our lives trying to achieve something so spectacular that people will talk about us for centuries to come.

Use your own personal significance of the quote

A great way to use this technique is by asking yourself what meaning you take away from the famous saying. What can you apply to your life? If there’s something you feel like you’re struggling with, how could you make it more powerful?

I read somewhere that we spend a lot of time thinking about ourselves and our place in this world, which is totally natural, but we need to do at least as much thinking about who else is in this world and their position in it too.

This may sound very philosophical or even religious, but I think it makes sense. After all, isn’t that the whole point of being here: to be conscious and acknowledge just how important you are?

We often forget that we’re not only part of one small group, we’re part of one big group.

Make a list of things that inspire you

how to quote a famous quote

Inspired by this quote, people often make lists of inspirational quotes or famous quotations. They can be made up of anything, from life lessons to messages to do with motivation, inspiration, and beliefs.

A collection of motivational sayings is very common. All over the internet you will find collections of inspiring quotes, from different sources to different themes.

These are great resources to add to your library as they may offer new ideas or insights into how you could use these materials to help you feel better about yourself and your life. By having lots of different quotes, you create an ever changing set of words that help you keep feeling good about yourself.

Harnessing the Power of Quotations

Reflection and Personal Growth

One of the best ways to truly understand a famous quote is to reflect upon it and identify with its core message.

Taking the time to meditate on the words, the intent behind them, and how they relate to your life can lead to moments of profound clarity. This exercise isn’t just about understanding the quote itself but delving deeper into your own beliefs, experiences, and aspirations.

  1. Journaling the Quote: Write down the quote in a diary or journal. Beneath it, write about your first impressions, feelings, and thoughts related to it. Revisit the entry after a week, and pen down any new insights or feelings you've gathered since.
  2. Discussion with Friends: Engage in deep discussions with friends or family about the meaning and impact of the quote. Everyone will bring a unique perspective that can broaden your understanding.
  3. Visual Representation: Some people are visual learners. Drawing or creating a visual representation of what the quote means to you can offer a fresh perspective. This could be a mind map, an abstract painting, or even a collage of images that you associate with the quote.
  4. Application in Real Life: Ponder on how the quote applies to your life or how it could guide future decisions. This way, you not only appreciate its wisdom but also incorporate it into your daily life.

Celebrating Quotes through Art and Creativity

Many have turned to art and creativity as a means of celebrating their favorite quotations. It becomes a fusion of words and artistic expression which amplifies the message.

  1. Quotation Art Pieces: Transform the quote into a beautiful piece of art that can be hung up as a reminder. Use vibrant colors, different fonts, or even incorporate related images.
  2. Craft Projects: There are numerous DIY projects like bookmarks, engraved jewelry, or even decorative tiles that can feature your favorite quotes. Not only do these serve as personal keepsakes, but they can also be gifted to loved ones.
  3. Digital Creations: Create digital wallpapers for your phone or computer. With tools like Canva or Photoshop, even those without a graphic design background can make visually striking designs with their favorite quotes.
  4. Creative Writing Inspired by Quotes: Use the quote as a prompt for a short story, poem, or even a song. Allow the words to guide your creativity, and see where it leads you.

Using these techniques, the power of quotes can extend beyond the written word. By engaging with them creatively and reflectively, their impact on one's life can be deepened and broadened. Remember, the beauty of quotes lies not just in their words, but in their ability to inspire, motivate, and evoke deep thought.