Having found myself no longer needing to labor away at some textbook or out of class assignment, I thought I'd write a post in hopes that there is some reader out there who is waiting on the edge of their seat for my promised series on quoting outside work.
Here's how I foresee it's going to go. Some of the points I listed in the last post are fairly self-explanatory, so I don't imagine that it will take a full post to go over them. Others are so general that I will probably need to expound upon them. With that said, this first post will cover rule number one.
1. The quotation must come from someone other than you
While my readers are probably now quoting the Declaration of Independence (We hold these truths to be self-evident), this first rule should not be overlooked by a writer trying to establish credibility with his readers. Even using an expression like, "As I said in a post some months back . . ." makes the reader question the humility of the author. Besides, while it is your work that is being read, that doesn't mean that you cannot include another saying that will help get your message across. Also, while it may seem like you're showing off your knowledge by quoting something you read, it actually appears like you're acknowledging the accomplishments of someone else."I have heard that nothing gives an Author so great Pleasure, as to find his Works respectfully quoted by other learned Authors" -- Benjamin Franklin
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