Quotations can be used very effectively to provide proof and support for the brief writer’s assertions.
When using quotations from cases, however, it’s good to keep a couple of points in mind. First, you should usually paraphrase rather than quote language from cases. Quotation marks draw the reader’s attention, and you want to save that special attention for important statements.
Generally, use direct quotations only when you are stating rules or other language at issue, or when you are justifying a conclusion you have drawn about the meaning of an authority. Of course, whether you are quoting or paraphrasing, be sure to provide appropriate citations.9Furthermore, remember that using quotations may demand energy of the reader. Beginning or ending a paragraph or section with quoted material, for example, may require the reader to work to figure out the writer’s purpose for the quoted language. Providing sufficient context, as described below, can help readers to understand why the language is included.Writers’ problems with quotations from cases tend to fall into the two categories of “not enough” and “too much.” Some writers drop quotations into their arguments without giving the reader enough information about the case. Without sufficient context, the quotation is meaningless. Other writers give the reader too much quoted language, leaving the reader to complete the writer’s job of sifting through the language and sorting out its meaning. Police your writing to avoid these problems.