Skillfully using quotes – This is how you improve your texts

Quotes are more than just decorative elements in a text. They have the potential to engage your reader, emphasize your argument, and convey your point of view clearly. In this guide, you will learn how and why you can use quotes effectively to make your texts more interesting and meaningful.

Key Insights

• Quotes increase the readability and interest in the text.
• There are different types of content that are well-suited for quotes.
• Conciseness is crucial to maintain the reader's attention.
• Verifiable facts should be included in the main text, while evaluations and opinions should be integrated into quotes.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose quotes that make the text more vivid

Good quotes have the ability to spark your readers' interest. They can convey subjective statements or transport a specific emotion or opinion. Make sure to select quotes that are relevant to the topic of your text and support your argument. Various types of content are particularly well-suited for quotes.

2. Identify content for quotes

There are several types of content that are excellent for quotes:

• Experiences: Memories or personal experiences that provide deeper insights, such as "That was my hardest exam."
• Conclusions: Statements that imply logical consequences, such as "We urgently need to save electricity, or our Earth will burn."
• Intentions: Things you wish to achieve, such as "We plan to implement family-friendly working hours."
• Evaluations: A critical consideration, like "Factory farming is animal cruelty."
• Justifications: A personal explanation for decisions, such as "My family is more important to me than a career leap."
• Rhetorical figures: Creative phrases that generate attention, like "... spoke of an impending dam break."

3. Choose the right length

In recent years, quotes have generally become shorter. They should typically not exceed seven reading seconds, which corresponds to about 20 words. This helps maintain the reader's attention. Especially in press releases, entire paragraphs are often found in the form of quotes, which can be useful if you want them to be cited more comprehensively.

4. Use meaningful quotes

When you integrate quotes into your text, they should be meaningful and formulated in complete sentences. This creates clarity and provides the reader with easy access to the statement. At the same time, it holds true: Verifiable facts belong in the main text, while evaluations or interpretations should be integrated into the quotes.

5. Assemble the text

Now that you have created headings, introductions, and quotes, it's time to put these parts together. It's important to keep the flow of your text in mind. Ensure that the quotes are harmoniously integrated into the context and support your central arguments.

Summary - Skillfully Use Quotes: How to Make Your Texts More Vivid

This guide shows you how to effectively use quotes in writing. By selecting the right content, formulating it concisely, and placing it sensibly in your texts, you can engage and persuade your audience. Learn how to make quotes an indispensable part of your text structure.