Citing quotes in an essay is essential for properly attributing the source of the quotes. Depending on the type of essay, the way to cite quotes can vary. For example, if you are writing an essay in MLA format, you'll need to include a parenthetical citation after the quote. In this situation, the quote should be included in quotation marks, followed by the source (authors name and page number).
If you are using APA style, you'll need to include the authors name and year of publication in the text to introduce the quote, in addition to a page number inside parentheses. The quote itself should still be enclosed in quotation marks.
If you are citing a direct quote, make sure that you include the authors exact words in quotation marks. For example: The sky was a deep and starless night (Baldwin, 1957, p. 15). Make sure that any changes that have been made to the quote are properly noted; for example, if you have added or removed words, or used ellipsis points.
It is also important to include the source of any information that may not be common knowledge. For example, if you are using statistics or details that are not widely known, they should be cited as well. This will help to demonstrate the reliability of your sources and give credit where it is due.
Finally, make sure that you have included all of the relevant information for each source that you cite; for example, publisher information and other relevant details. This will allow your readers to find the sources easily and ensure that you are accurately representing the work that has been done. Following these guidelines will help ensure that your essay is properly cited and your sources accurately represented.